§ 7. Mr. CHORLTONasked the President of the Board of Trade what steps he proposes to take with regard to Japanese competition in industries, other than cotton textiles, where no trade negotiations are taking place?
§ Mr. RUNCIMANThe Government are fully aware that industries other than the cotton textile industry are being affected by Japanese competition, and I can assure my hon. Friend that the whole position is receiving their careful consideration. It is, however, clearly desirable in the first place to see what is likely to be the outcome of the discussions with the Japanese industrialists in regard to cotton and rayon goods.
§ Mr. CHORLTONCan the right hon. Gentleman give any information as to when he will move in this matter? Time is going on.
§ Mr. RUNCIMANMy hon. Friend need not be under any apprehension on that subject; we are moving all the time.
§ Mr. HOLDSWORTHDoes not the right hon. Gentleman think it would be wise to call into consultation representatives of the woollen and worsted manufacturers, in order that we may not get into the same trouble with regard to that branch of the textile trade as has been the case with cotton, hut that we may take steps before we have to meet the very serious position that may arise?
§ Mr. RUNCIMANIf the industrialists in the woollen trade will make the same representations that were made to us about cotton, of course we shall give them every assistance.
§ Mr. HOLDSWORTHI think that that has been done.
§ 18. Mr. REMERasked the President of the Board of Trade if his attention has been called to the fact that exports of artificial silk from Japan during the month of September to this country ex- 665 ceeded the whole of the imports of the year 1932; and what steps he intends to take to deal with these imports on their arrival in this country'?
§ Mr. RUNCIMANMy attention has been called to the Japanese statistics of shipments of artificial silk goods to the United Kingdom in September last, and I have no doubt that these statistics will be borne in mind by the representatives of British industry in their forthcoming discussions with Japanese industrialists.
§ Mr. RUNCIMANI have only given an answer on the facts. The deductions to be drawn from them, of course, the hon. Member can make.
§ Mr. HAMMERSLEYIs it now definitely understood that artificial silk will be included in the textile negotiations?
§ Mr. RUNCIMANI should like to have notice of that question.
§ Mr. REMERWill the right hon. Gentleman take steps to see that this is stopped pending the negotiations?
§ 22. Mr. REMERasked the President of the Board of Trade if he has considered the resolution passed and sent to him by the International Federation of Silk Associations, recommending that all national associations connected with the silk trade should make representations to their Governments that Japanese imports of silk goods should be restricted by quota; and what action he proposes to take?
§ Mr. RUNCIMANI have received from the Silk Association of Great Britain and Ireland a copy of the resolution mentioned in the question with a request that the Government should take action on the lines recommended. The Government hold, however, that, apart from other considerations, it is desirable in the first place to see what is likely to be the outcome of the discussions between British and Japanese industrialists.
§ Mr. REMERIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that some Governments, notably the Swiss Government, have already taken action to prevent Japanese imports?
§ Mr. RUNCIMANI am very glad to hear that information.