§ 9. Mr. LYONSasked the President of the Board of Trade whether, in view of the present large imports of foreign-made hosiery and stockings, he will introduce a Measure for the prohibition of all such imports from countries where-the standards of labour are such as to, constitute unfair competition with British labour?
§ The PRESIDENT of the BOARD of TRADE (Mr. Runciman)No, Sir, there is no reason to think that the home market cannot be adequately protected under the existing procedure.
§ Mr. LYONSHas the right hon. Gentleman had brought to his notice the great influx of hosiery from countries which have no proper standard of life, and, if I can satisfy him that there is this influx, which is so well known to the workers, will he ask the Import Duties Advisory Committee to take immediate steps to give some protection to the people engaged in the industry more than the small duties that now prevail?
§ Mr. RUNCIMANI am quite sure that, if the facts that the hon. Member states are brought to the notice of the Committee, they will give them consideration at once.
§ Mr. LYONSHas the right hon. gentleman's attention been brought to the fact that these goods come in here far below the cost of production in this country and that it is obvious that a small duty has no real effect in stopping this influx of sweated goods.