§ 43. Mr. CAPORNasked the President of the Board of Trade how many of the 646 new factories established in this country during the year 1932 were commenced while the abnormal import duties were in force; and how many of the 355 factories closed during the same year were closed after such duties were withdrawn?
§ The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the BOARD of TRADE (Dr. Burgin)I regret that the desired information is not available.
§ Mr. CAPORNCan the hon. Gentleman say whether the closing of the 355 factories has anything to do with the tariff?
§ Dr. BURGINI could not say without a good deal of research. This survey is very full, and it has been made for the whole year and not for separate months. I doubt whether the information for which the hon. Member asks is available, but I will look into it.
§ Captain P. MACDONALDIs it not a fact that a large number of the closed factories have only shifted their operations from one part of the country to another?
§ Dr. BURGINThat appears from the survey itself.
§ Mr. CAPORNIs it possible to give us any information as to when the establishment of these factories was first notified to the Board of Trade?
§ Dr. BURGINThat might be possible but the information for which the hon. Member is asking would really involve a fresh inquiry, and the expense and time 1231 would be quite disproportionate to the value of the information obtained.
§ Mr. MACLEANIs it not the case that there is no real comparison of the criterion as to the advantage gained by this country from the opening of these factories unless one knows the loss on the factories which have been closed down?
§ Dr. BURGINThat is shown by the survey.