§ 9. Mr. HANNONasked the President of the Board of Trade if his attention has been called to the sale of pedal-bicycle covers and tubes of foreign origin offered for sale at 6d. each in Birmingham and other centres in the Midlands; and if any steps are being taken to safeguard more adequately the production of these articles in this country?
§ Dr. BURGINMy right hon. Friend's attention has not hitherto been called to the circumstances referred to. The question of any increase in the protection given to the home industry is, in the first place, a matter for the consideration of the Import Duties Advisory Committee.
§ Mr. HANNONWill my hon. Friend have inquiries made to ascertain whether the offer of these covers and tubes at this particular price is a spasmodic action on the part of some foreign country, or is to be continuous in our markets?
§ Mr. T. WILLIAMSHas the hon. Gentleman any power to make such inquiries in view of the existence of the Advisory Committee?
§ Dr. BURGINCertainly there is power to make all and any inquiries when a matter is brought to the attention of the President of the Board of Trade, and inquiries will be made to see whether this incident is sporadic and spasmodic or whether it is likely to be permanent. The import of these articles is at the rate of something like 300,000 in a normal year, by contrast with a home production of nearly 7,000,000, so that it is a small import.
§ Mr. PIKECan the hon. Gentleman say what the importation of pocket knives in Sheffield from the same source amounts to?