§ 5. Colonel GOODMANasked the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been drawn to the fact that the imports of carpets for January and February of 1934 were 629,000 square yards as compared with 364,000 square yards for the same period in 1933; and whether he is proposing to take steps to restrict the imports of these goods?
§ Dr. BURGINI am aware of the figures quoted by my hon. and gallant Friend. As regards the second part of the question, I would refer to the reply I gave on the 20th March to the hon. Member for Croydon, South (Mr. H. Williams).
§ Colonel GOODMANIn view of the fact that the imports of carpets have increased from 2,500 square yards in 1932 to 270,000 square yards for the corresponding period in 1933 will the hon. Member take some action?
§ Dr. BURGINA large percentage of the increase comes from India.
§ Mr. H. WILLIAMSIs it not the case that the bulk of the increase comes from Belgium, whose imports have gone up by more than 1,000 per cent.?
§ Dr. BURGINIt is the fact that a large quantity comes from Belgium, but, when the figures are looked into, I think it will be found that my statement is the more accurate and that the greater quantity has come from India.
§ Sir H. CROFTIf the greater quantity has come from India, is not that all the more reason why immediate steps should be taken to limit the imports from foreign countries?
§ Dr. BURGINThat is a point which will be taken into consideration.