§ 29. Mr. CHORLTONasked the President of the Board of Trade if any further action is to be taken to help the manufacturers of this country against Japanese competition?
§ Mr. RUNCIMANI would refer my hon. Friend to the statement which I made in the Debate on the Motion for the Adjournment on Thursday last.
§ The following question stood upon the Order Paper in the name of:
§ 35. Vice-Admiral TAYLORto ask the President of the Board of Trade the volume of Japanese cotton piece-goods imported into the mandated territories in the Congo Basin during the nine months ended September, 1933, or for the latest available period?
§ Vice-Admiral TAYLOROn a point of Order. May I put a supplementary question to the President of the Board of Trade arising out of Question 34 on the Paper?
Mr. DEPUTY-SPEAKERWe have passed from that question. I would point out that we have a great many questions on the Paper to-day.
§ Vice-Admiral TAYLORQuestion No. 34 was my own question, and I was very desirous of asking a supplementary question upon it. May I not do so now?
Mr. DEPUTY-SPEAKERDoes the hon. and gallant Member wish to ask Question No. 35? I have called him for that.
§ Vice-Admiral TAYLORQuestion 35.
§ Mr. RUNCIMANThe mandated territories in the Congo Basin conventional trade zone comprise Tanganyika, Ruanda-Urundi, and the south-eastern portion of the Cameroons. Separate particulars in respect of the latter area are not published in the trade returns issued by the French authorities, but as regards the other two territories I will circulate in the OFFICIAL REPORT a table showing the required information for the latest available period.
§ Vice-Admiral TAYLORIs the right hon. Gentleman satisfied that the importation of Japanese goods should continue at the present volume without special steps being taken to prevent it.
§ Mr. RUNCIMANThe whole question of Japanese competition is under consideration at the present time both inside and outside the House.
§ Following is the table:
| The following table shows the total quantity of cotton piece goods imported into the under mentioned territories from Japan during the periods specified: | ||
| Description | Tanganyika | Ruanda-Urundi |
| January to June, 1933 | Year 1932. | |
| Cotton piece goods: | Yards. | Kilogrammes. |
| Unbleached | 3,878,708 | 163,484 |
| Bleached | 994,432 | 1,086 |
| Printed | 1,753,662* | 24,825 |
| Dyed | 3,234,747 | 33,224 |
| Coloured | 1,486,904 | — |
| Other | — | 170 |
| * Excluding imports of printed khangas from Japan which, if any, are relatively insignificant. |
§ 41. Major PROCTERasked the President of the Board of Trade if his attention has been drawn to the increasing quantities of Japanese textiles imported into home and Empire markets which are copies of British registered designs; and whether he will take such measures as may be necessary to have such goods confiscated at the ports of entry?
§ Mr. RUNCIMANSo far as the question relates to Empire markets outside the United Kingdom it is one for the Government of the Dominion or Colony concerned. In regard to the United 721 Kingdom no information is available as to whether the importation of Japanese textiles bearing British registered designs is on the increase. Legal remedies are open to the owner of the registered design against the sale of goods infringing the copyright, but there is no power under which such goods could be confiscated at the ports of entry on the sole ground that they bore a design registered in this country. The enforcement of such a measure in the United Kingdom would present insuperable practical difficulties.
§ Major PROCTERIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that on Monday last the Egyptian customs officials confiscated Japanese textile goods because they bore the label "Made in Manchester"; and will the right hon. Gentleman see that something is done to stop this pirating of our designs?
§ Mr. RUNCIMANIf similar cases arise in this country, we shall certainly see that action is taken.
§ Mr. LEVYIs my right hon. Friend aware that designs which are copies of our English manufacturers are imported into this country at the present time; and what action does he intend to take to stop it?
§ Mr. RUNCIMANI have already answered that question in my original answer.