§ 81. Mr. HANNONasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies, in view of the representations made to him by silk manufacturers in this country on the subject of the pending ruin of the art-silk 2780 textile trade in the West Indies consequent upon the growth of Japanese competition, what steps the Government contemplate to safeguard the livelihood of workers in this branch of the silk trade in this country?
§ The SECRETARY of STATE for the COLONIES (Sir Philip Cunliffe-Lister)I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply which I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Elland (Mr. Levy) on the 19th July, of which I am sending him a copy, and to the statement which I made in the Debate on the Adjournment on the 20th July.
§ Mr. HANNONWill my right hon. Friend be in a position to make a statement of the policy of the Government in relation to this Japanese competition when we meet in the autumn?
§ Sir P. CUNLIFFE-LISTERA very full statement was made by the President of the Board of Trade as to the exact course of the negotiations which are being conducted, and, as soon as those negotiations are completed, I shall be able to make a statement.
§ 82. Mr. HANNONasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies, in view of the representations made to him from the chamber of commerce of Part of Spain emphasising the flooding of that market by canvas shoes from Japan and indicating the elimination of the British tend Canadian exporter, what measures are under consideration to safeguard the British and Canadian workpeople in this trade?
§ Sir P. CUNLIFFE-LISTERA number of colonies, including Trinidad, have adjusted their tariff duties so as to provide a margin of preference on rubber and canvas boots and shoes equivalent to 1s. a pair, which was the margin asked for under the Ottawa Agreements. On the general question of Japanese competition, I would refer my hon. Friend to my reply to the preceding question.