§ 43 and 44. Mr. MITCHESONasked the President of the Board of Trade (1) what action is being taken in respect of the imports of hardware which increased from 2,229 cwt. in May, 1932, to 3,182 cwt. in May, 1933, and to 7,622 cwt. in May, 1934;
(2) whether his attention has been drawn to the fact that the imports of tiles in the first five months of 1934 were 378,000 cwt., as compared with 221,000 cwt. in the same period of 1933; and when action will be taken to deal with this situation?
§ Mr. RUNCIMANI am aware of the increased imports of these goods. Any
§ Mr. RUNCIMANThere were in 1933, 80 coke oven plants producing gas as a by-product. Of these, 36 supplied approximately 15,500 million cubic feet of gas to gas undertakings owned by companies and local authorities.
§ Mr. KIRKWOODIs it not the case that those firms which can get municipalities to take the by-product are in a favoured position, compared with firms which have no municipalities taking the by-product from them?
§ Mr. RUNCIMANI am afraid I am not in a position to form an opinion upon that question.