§ 9. Sir J. WARDLAW-MILNEasked the President of the Board of Trade the total quantities and values of carpets imported from India into this country in 1933 as compared with the three previous years?
§ Mr. RUNCIMANAs the answer involves a number of figures, I will circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.
§ Following is the answer:
§ flour stocks due to the importation of foreign flour at lower prices than obtain in the country of origin; and whether it is proposed to take any steps to regulate these imports with a view to safeguarding home production?
§ Mr. RUNCIMANI would refer to the answer which I gave on 1st February to my hon. and gallant Friends the Members for Cardiff South (Captain Evans) and Maldon (Colonel Ruggles-Brise).
Captain ARTHUR EVANSWill the right hon. Gentleman bear in mind the very urgent need for an early decision and action by His Majesty's Government 943 in this matter, as the present situation is resulting in grave dislocation and unemployment within the industry?
§ Mr. RUNCIMANThe matter is having daily attention.
§ Mr. GRAHAM WHITECan the right hon. Gentleman say whether, in the event of the Government deciding to take action, the views of all those interested in the matter will be taken into account, including those of the importers?
§ Mr. RUNCIMANYes, Sir, we are certainly taking every step we can to obtain the views of all the interests concerned.
§ Mr. MANDERHas the attention of the right hon. Gentleman been drawn to the prospectus issued two or three months ago by one of the leading British millers in which they said that a profit of one shilling and two shillings per sack was being made?
§ Mr. RUNCIMANNo, Sir, I am afraid that that prospectus has not come within my reading.
§ Mr. MANDERMay I send it to the right hon. Gentleman?
§ 25. Mr. WELLSasked the President of the Board of Trade if he will state the price of French flour sold in London at the present time, and also the price of similar flour sold in France?
§ Mr. RUNCIMANThe price of French flour in London during January was about 20s. per sack of 280 lbs., including duty and quota payments. Similar flour has, I understand, been quoted in Paris during January at 193 francs per 100 kilos which would be equivalent to about 245 francs or say 60s. per sack of 280 lbs.
§ Sir HERBERT SAMUELDoes that include the duty imposed by France?
§ Mr. RUNCIMANI believe it does, but I would not be quite sure.
§ Sir H. SAMUELIs not that the principal reason?
§ Mr. RUNCIMANI am afraid not. There are a great many other reasons.
§ 26. Mr. WELLSasked the President of the Board of Trade the quantity of flour imported from France, and also the quantity from Germany, for the year 944 ended 31st December, 1933, as compared with the year ended December, 1932?
§ Mr. RUNCIMANDuring the year 1933 the imports of wheat meal and flour into this country consigned from France amounted to 1,397,000 cwts. compared with 440,000 cwts. in 1932. Corresponding figures for imports from Germany are 69,000 cwts. and 13,000 cwts.
§ Mr. WELLSCannot the right hon. Gentleman do something to stop this dumping, which has an effect on employment in this country?
§ Mr. RUNCIMANThe matter is under investigation at the present time.
§ Mr. D. GRENFELLDoes the right hon. Gentleman begin to appreciate the fact that this encouragement is leading to demands for further protection?
§ Mr. WHITECan the right hon. Gentleman say, without notice, whether any of this French flour is used for food for human beings, or is it confined to offal and things of that kind?
§ Mr. RUNCIMANI cannot answer that question without notice.