HC Deb 01 March 1933 vol 275 cc506-7

Motion made, and Question proposed, "That this House do now adjourn."—[Sir F. Thomson.]

11.2 p.m.

Sir B. PETO

I put a question to-day to the President of the Board of Trade, on which I wish to say a few words. It will be for the convenience of hon. Members if I first read the question, and the answer I received, which made me give notice that I would raise the matter on the Adjournment. I asked the President of the Board of Trade: whether he can give any date by which an order may be expected, in accordance with the recommendations of the Import Duties Advisory Committee, on the application of the fabric glove industry; whether the commercial negotiations with foreign countries, which are delaying the decision, relate to the glove industry or other industries; and whether, in view of the depression in the fabric glove industry in this country, due to the dumping of surplus foreign produce at prices below cost of production, he will arrive at a decision at the earlist possible moment. The reply that I received was as follows: I cannot give a date by which a decision will be reached on the Committee's recommendations, but the hon. Member may rest assured that there will be no unnecessary delay. As regards the second part of the question, it would not be expedient to make detailed announcements as to the scope of negotiations which are in progress. I do not desire, indeed it would be out of order, to go into any question as to why the Import Duties Advisory Committee have made a recommendation to the Treasury, or the nature of that recommendation or the evidence that produced that recommendation. What I am concerned with is the position of this House in relation to this new method of procedure in dealing with tariff questions. The only information that has been vouchsafed was a communique which appeared in the Press, in a few lines, on the 23rd February. I will read it. I am quoting from the "Times." It is headed: