§ 9. Mr. REMERasked the President of the Board of Trade if he can now make any statement as to the negotiations between the textile interests of Japan and Great Britain?
6. Sir NAIRNE STEWART SANDE-MANasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he has now any statement to make regarding the negotiations with Japan regarding cotton goods?
§ Mr. RUNCIMANI would refer my hon. Friends to the reply which was given yesterday to the hon. Member for East Willesden (Mr. D. G. Somerville).
§ Mr. REMERWill the right hon. Gentleman say whether any progress whatever is being made in these negotiations?
§ Mr. LYONSMay I asked the right hon. Gentleman whether he has noticed the imports of hosiery; is he aware of 172 the great fear in the hosiery trade which is being caused by the long delay in the consideration of this matter; and will he put a time limit to these discussions?
§ Mr. RUNCIMANIf my hon, Friend puts down a question with regard to hosiery, I shall be glad to answer it.
§ Mr. REMERWill the right hon. Gentleman answer my question as to whether any progress is being made in these negotiations?
§ Mr. RUNCIMANI am inclined to deprecate these constant inquiries with regard to a conference which must, of necessity, be held behind closed doors.
§ Mr. RUNCIMANNo, Sir, it is not.