§ 9. Sir JOHN HASLAM (for Captain FULLER)asked the President of the Board of Trade if he can now state what is the policy of the Government regarding Japanese competition?
§ Lieut.-Colonel COLVILLEI would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the reply which I gave yesterday to the hon. Members for Platting (Mr. Chorlton) and Salford South (Mr. Stourton), and to the further answer which I shall give later to-day in reply to a Private Notice Question.
§ Mr. REMER (by Private Notice)asked the President of the Board of Trade if he can make any statement as to his visit to Manchester during last week?
§ Lieut.-Colonel COLVILLEAs my hon. Friend is no doubt aware, my right hon. Friend went to Lancashire last week in order to obtain first-hand information regarding the views of the cotton industry on the various problems confronting them, including the problem of Japanese competition. With this object he met the Special Committee which has been set up by the industry with regard to Japanese competition, and he also had meetings with representatives of the spinning, manufacturing and merchanting sections of the industry, with representatives of the operatives, and with the Joint Committee of Cotton Trade Organisations. From all sides my right 181 hon. Friend received representations regarding the urgency of the problems presented by Japanese competition, and he assured the industry that the Government fully realised the importance of the time factor and that they could not afford to delay. I am, happily, now in a position to add to this statement. Within the last 24 hours His Excellency the Japanese Ambassador has informed His Majesty's Government, under instructions from the Japanese Government, that the following representatives have been duly authorisd by the Japanese industries concerned to enter into formal negotiations with the representatives of British industries:—
§ Representing the Cotton Industry of Japan:
- Mr. Gentaro Okada.
- Mr. Gota Miyake.
- Mr. Kazuyoshi Mimura.
- Mr. Masao Kawaguchi.
§ Representing the Rayon Textile Exporting Association:
- Mr. Katsunosuke Shimada.
§ This information has been communicated to the Special Committee in Manchester, and I trust that arrangements will be made forthwith for commencement of the discussions.
§ Mr. REMERIn view of the necessity of obtaining further information from the hon. and gallant Gentleman and the President of the Board of Trade, I beg to give notice that at the earliest possible opportunity I shall raise this matter on the Motion for the Adjournment of the House.