§ 16. Mr. GUYasked the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been drawn to the fact that the 1528 imports of rubber footwear from British countries other than Canada increased from 3,948 pairs in March, 1933, to 381,216 pairs in March, 1934; if he can state the countries of origin of these goods; and if he will consider the amendment of the Import Duties Act, 1932, so as to apply the principle of the Ottawa Agreements to these imports either by placing a preferential duty or by quantitative regulation?
§ Mr. RUNCIMANI am aware of the figures to which my hon. Friend draws attention. I am circulating in the OFFICIAL REPORT a statement showing the countries from which these goods were consigned. With regard to the last part of the question, I am not, at present, in a position to add to the reply I gave on the 6th February to the hon. Member for Croydon, South (Mr. H. Williams).
§ Mr. GUYDoes my right hon. Friend realise that the increasing and unrestricted entry of these goods into this country presents a very serious danger to British manufacturers?
§ Captain WATERHOUSEIs my right hon. Friend aware of the effect that the extra duty on patent leather will have?
§ Following is the statement:
§ The following table shows the total quantity of rubber boots, shoes, etc., registered as imported into the United Kingdom during the month of March, 1933 and 1934, and consigned from the undermentioned British countries.
| Rubber boots, bootees, shoes, overshoes, slippers, etc. | Quantity. | |
| March, 1933. | March, 1934. | |
| Dozen Pairs. | Dozen Pairs. | |
| Imports consigned from: | ||
| British India | — | 350 |
| Straits Settlements | 323 | 2,735 |
| Federated Malay States | — | 1,293 |
| Hong Kong | 6 | 27,390 |
| Total | 329 | 31,768 |