22. Mr. ALLENasked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware that finished ladies' dress skirts of Japanese origin have been selling in London, retail, 352 at 6d. and 1s. each, made of materials that contain 36 and 85 per cent. of wool, respectively; that such material could not be manufactured in this country under 1s. to 1s. 6d. per yard; that the labour cost alone to make such skirts in this country would be 1s. 3d. per skirt; and whether he proposes to take action in the matter to protect British workers?
§ The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the BOARD of TRADE (Dr. Burgin)I have made inquiry into the transactions referred to by my hon. and learned Friend, and I am assured that the garments in question were of British and not of Japanese manufacture. I understand that the goods were offered by a firm of retailers at these extremely low prices an an advertisement in connection with their annual clearance sale. The second part of the question does not, in these circumstances, arise.
Mr. ALLENWill my hon. Friend inquire what were the wages paid to British labour for making these garments?
§ Dr. BURGINI have been into this subject very thoroughly because I was shocked by the suggestion in the question, and I was very glad to find there was no foundation for it whatever, and that it was merely an advertising stunt.