§ 63. Mr. REMERasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he is aware that the representations of the Silk Association of Great Britain and Ireland to the Import Duties Advisory Committee expressly stated their reference to European competition, and that the question of Japanese competition must be dealt with differently; and if, therefore, he will now take steps to remove the embargo expressed in his letter to Sir George May, and refer the whole question of the Silk Duties to the Import Duties Advisory Committee?
§ The FINANCIAL SECRETARY to the TREASURY (Mr. Hore-Belisha)My right hon. Friend is aware that the Silk Association has made representations in the sense mentioned, but, as my hon. Friend will appreciate, any revision of the Silk Duties would affect goods imported from Japan as well as from Europe.
§ Mr. REMERIs the hon. Member aware that in the case put forward by the Silk Association they specifically stated that they were not referring to Japanese competition, but to European 492 rately the total amounts of imports and exports between this country and Canada, Australia, and New Zealand during the last 12 months?
§ Dr. BURGINAs the answer involves a tabular statement, I will circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.
§ Following is the statement:
§ Particulars of the aggregate value of our trade with individual countries are normally compiled in respect of calendar years and quarterly periods only and the figures for the 12 months ended October last are not, therefore, readily available.
§ competition? Why is it that the specific promise given by the Chancellor of the Exchequer in his Budget speech, that this trade would receive protection, has not been carried out?
§ Mr. HORE-BELISHAI have already answered the first part of the question in the affirmative and have indicated why I cannot give an answer satisfactory to my hon. Friend in regard to the second part of the question.