§ 31 and 32. Mr. CHORLTONasked the President of the Board of Trade (1) whether in view of the increased quantity of cotton textile imports this year being of a more expensive quality, involving more wages cost per yard, he will take special steps to limit this import;
(2) if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the imports of cotton piece goods have grown from. 3,181,000 square yards in the first five months of 1932 to 6,456,000 square yards in the same period of 1933 and to 9,047,000 square yards in 1934; and, having regard to the present difficulties and unemployment in the trade, what steps he proposes to take to overcome this increase and the unemployment caused?
§ Lieut. Colonel COLVILLEI would refer my hon. Friend to the reply given by my right hon. Friend to the hon. Members for Macclesfield (Mr. Remer) and for Norwich (Mr. Hartland) on the 1st May.
§ Mr. CHORLTONDoes that mean that any action or no action is to be taken?
§ Lieut.-Colonel COLVILLEIf the hon. Member will study the reply, he will find that it indicates that it is open to manufacturers concerned to make application to the advisory committee.
§ Sir JOHN HASLAMIs the hon. and gallant Member not aware that we can make more cotton goods than we need and that it is absolutely superfluous to import any at all?
§ Lieut.-Colonel COLVILLEThat is a matter for submission to the committee.