HC Deb 08 May 1934 vol 289 cc906-8
34. Sir F. SANDERSON

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been drawn to the Board of Trade Journal for 3rd May, 1934, which shows that the imports of apparel in the period January to March, 1934, are 37.4 per cent. higher than in the period January to March, 1933; and whether he will cause inquiries to be made as to the source from which this apparel comes, and ascertain whether it is the produce of countries whose standard of living is sufficiently low to warrant steps being taken to regulate the import of such goods into this country?

Dr. BURGIN

I am aware of the figures to which my hon. Friend draws attention. As regards the last part of the question, the sources of imports of apparel in the three months in question are given in the Trade Accounts for March, the principal countries being Germany, Italy, Japan, Czechoslovakia, Switzerland and France.

35. Sir F. SANDERSON

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he can make an announcement on the policy the Government intends to pursue in respect of the level of the tariff on manufactured articles, having regard to the fact, as shown in the Board of Trade Journal for 3rd May, that the quantity of manufactured goods imported and retained in this country during the first three months of the present year were 25 per cent. higher than in the corresponding period of last year?

Dr. BURGIN

I would refer to the replies given on 28th March to the hon. Member for Stroud (Mr. Perkins), and on 29th March to the hon. Member for South Croydon (Mr. H. Williams).

Mr. HERBERT WILLIAMS

Do I understand that His Majesty's Government are not themselves concerned as to whether our tariffs are adequate to protect our industries, and that, if the Import Duties Advisory Committee fail to make appropriate recommendations, the Government have abdicated their responsibility in the matter?

Dr. BURGIN

I sincerely hope that my hon. Friend will draw no such erroneous conclusion.

Mr. WILLIAMS

As every question has been answered in the same way, that it is a matter for the Import Duties Advisory Committee, what conclusion are we to draw?

Dr. BURGIN

In the answer which I have just given to the question on the Paper I referred to an answer of the President of the Board of Trade, in which he said that the increases in the imports of goods were a gratifying sign of increased trade activity, and that one of the signs of an increase in trade will be expanding imports.

Viscountess ASTOR

Would the hon. Gentleman remind some hon. Members that this is a National Government, and was not brought in on Tariff Reform only?

Mr. CHARLES BROWN

Is it not correct to say, in view of what the President of the Board of Trade had to say yesterday, that the Government now advise the Import Duties Advisory Committee?

Dr. BURGIN

It is quite untrue.