80. Captain ARTHUR EVANSasked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware that foreign flour is being imported into this country and sold at between 5s. and 6s. below the cost of production of similar quality flour produced in Great Britain, and that in consequence of this employers must consider the stoppage of their mills in order to allow stocks to liquidate, which would throw out of employment a large number of persons in addition to many being placed on halftime work; and, in view of this, what steps the Government propose to take to deal with this competition?
§ 88. Colonel RUGGLES-BRISEasked the President of the Board of Trade what steps he proposes to take to deal with importations of flour from foreign countries, assisted by indirect subsidies, which is being sold at a price level below that obtaining in the countries of origin; and 536 whether he is aware of the injury caused to the home milling industry by such importations, in consequence of which flour mills in the north-west area have been compelled to close down owing to accumulation of stocks?
§ Mr. RUNCIMANI am aware of the facts to which my hon. and gallant Friends have called attention. The whole question is receiving careful consideration.
§ Colonel RUGGLES-BRISEMay I ask whether such subsidised dumping as is going on in the case of flour comes within the terms of the treaties with the countries concerned? Is there anything in the treaties by which such dumping can be stopped; and, if not, will the right hon. Gentleman take steps to see that there is a revision of the treaties in order to prevent further dumping?
§ Mr. RUNCIMANIf my hon. and gallant Friend will let me have any reliable data on the subject, I will take it into consideration.
§ 84. Colonel ROPNERasked the President of the Board of Trade if he can give the imports of French flour for each of the last three months for which figures are available, and the respective total flour imports in those periods?
§ Mr. RUNCIMANThe desired information will be found on page 9 of the "Accounts relating to Trade and Navigation of the United Kingdom" for those months.