HC Deb 07 November 1933 vol 281 cc7-9
13. Captain PETER MACDONALD

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is now in a position to make any further statement with regard to the outcome of the discussions in India between representatives of the Indian, British, and Japanese cotton industries with regard to the allocation of world markets?

16. Mr. HAMMERSLEY

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will make a report on the progress of the negotiations respecting Japanese competition?

21. Captain DOWER

asked the President of the Board of Trade the result up to the present time of any negotiations which have taken place with Japan with the object of restricting Japanese competition on existing lines; whether satis- factory progress has been made and what further action is still to be taken?

Mr. RUNCIMAN

Discussions regarding the Indian market for cotton and rayon textiles have taken place in India between a United Kingdom industrial delegation under the leadership of Sir William Clare Lees and representatives of the Indian and Japanese industries. A statement of the agreement reached between the United Kingdom delegation and certain representatives of the Indian Industry has already been published in the Press. Discussions are still proceeding between the Governments of India and the official Japanese delegation. The United Kingdom delegation are now on their way back to this country and ate due to arrive at the end of this week. On their return, the discussion of markets other than India will be commenced with representatives of the Japanese industries, some of whom are already in this country where they have been making a preliminary examination of the position.

Captain MACDONALD

Pending agreement or otherwise with the Japanese Government, are the British Government going to allow the dumping of Japanese goods into this country and our colonies indiscriminately without taking any action whatever?

Mr. RUNCIMAN

The negotiations will proceed as rapidly as possible, and I hope that we shall be able to deal with these subjects in due course.

Sir NAIRNE STEWART SANDEMAN

Has the right hon. Gentleman any idea of what is actually happening in Lancashire on account of this Japanese competition?

Mr. RUNCIMAN

Yes, I think our information is very full and complete on that subject.

Captain DOWER

Are the Government to be represented in the negotiations that are going to take place an London?

Mr. RUNCIMAN

The Government will be represented and they will be kept fully informed of what takes place. They will have a representative present, I hope, at the discussions.

Colonel WEDGWOOD

Will the consumer be present at the discussions?