§ 33. Mr. HAMMERSLEY (for Sir WILFRID SUGDEN)asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that the imports of cotton yarns have risen by 69.6 per cent. in the first six months of 1934 as compared with the corresponding period of 1933, and that the imports amount to 1,660,834 lbs. as against 979,261 lbs.; and whether he is prepared to take any action, in view of the widespread unemployment in Lancashire?
§ Dr. BURGINI am aware of the increased imports to which my hon. Friend refers. As regards the second part of the question I would refer to the reply given by my right hon. Friend to the hon. Member for Norwich (Mr. Hartland) on the 1st May.
§ 34. Mr. HAMMERSLEY (for Sir W. SUGDEN)asked the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been drawn to the fact that the imports of cotton underwear in volume have increased by 92.5 per cent. in the first six months of 1934 as compared with the first six months of 1933; whether he will 1526 state the source of these increased imports; and whether he proposes to take any steps to reduce them?
§ Dr. BURGINThe increased imports referred to by my hon. Friend came mainly from Japan. Any question of an increased duty on these goods is a matter in the first instance for the Import Duties Advisory Committee.
§ Mr. HAMMERSLEYIf the trades concerned were to make representations to the Import Duties Advisory Committee, and if the committee were to consider that their representations required action, is there any machinery whereby effective action could be taken during the Recess?
§ Dr. BURGINThat is a hypothetical question, but I should imagine that the answer is in the affirmative.