HC Deb 29 November 1934 vol 295 cc1000-1
46. Captain. P. MACDONALD

asked the Prime Minister whether in view of the increasing importation into this country of manufactured goods, he will now take steps to review the constitution of the Import Duties Advisory Committee with the object of enabling this body, either with or without additional assistance, to review and report on the general question of manufactured imports in addition to dealing with such imports item by item?

Mr. RUNCIMAN

I have been asked to reply. The Committee have full power to make not only recommendations relating to particular categories of imported goods in respect of which applications may be made to them, but also such wider recommendations as they may think advisable at any time. It will be recollected that they adopted this course in their first recommendations made in April, 1932. I am informed that it is the Committee's practice to keep under constant and detailed review the course and nature of both the imports and the exports of manufactured goods generally.

Captain MACDONALD

Can the right hon. Gentleman account for the enormous increase in imports this year, particularly of such manufactured articles as clocks and motor cars, which have gone up 500 per cent. this year?

Mr. RUNCIMAN

I shall be quite ready to answer that specific question if my hon. and gallant Friend cares to put it down.

Mr. HANNON

In view of the continuous increase of certain imported articles, against which the present tariff is hopelessly inoperative, will the right hon. Gentleman make representations to the Import Duties Advisory Committee to take these matters into consideration at the earliest possible moment?

Mr. RUNCIMAN

I have already said that the Committee have these matters constantly under review.

Sir J. NALL

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the Committee has several very important applications which have been hung up for over 12 months and that there is still no indication when they will be heard?

Mr. RUNCIMAN

I certainly could not have knowledge of that fact without notice being given to me.

Mr. LAWSON

Will the right hon. Gentleman not pay attention to what these hon. Gentlemen are asking? Is it not time that a few more pits were stopped in this country?