§ 5. Mr. LYONSasked the President of the Board of Trade the number and value of foreign typewriters imported into this country for the four months ended 30th September, 1932, 1933, and 1934, respectively?
§ Mr. RUNCIMANDuring the four months ended 30th September, 1932, the imports into the United Kingdom of complete typewriters consigned from foreign countries amounted to 5,585 in number, valued at £50,062. The figures for the corresponding periods of 1933 and 1934 were 11,371, valued at £68,105, and 14,189, valued at £115,013.
§ Mr. LYONSMay I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether it is a fact that under the protection given to this industry the British typewriter trade has received an enormous impetus in their exportation and in their home manufacture: and, secondly, whether, in view of the large figures which he has disclosed, he will ask the Advisory Committee to give, on 5 their own initiative, consideration to further protection as may be required from time to time?
§ Mr. RUNCIMANI would remind my hon. and learned Friend that the Import Duties Advisory Committee considered an application for an increase of duty only this year, and that an Order was imposed on the 4th May of this year.
§ Mr. LYONSIn view of the very great figures now disclosed, will the right hon. Gentleman ask the Committee to give, on their own initiative, immediate consideration to increasing the protective tariff in the interests of British trade?
§ Mr. RUNCIMANThat will be dealt with in the ordinary way in the Committee.
§ Mr. CAPORNIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that the making of each of these imported typewriters would provide work for one week for three persons in this country?
§ Mr. T. WILLIAMSCan the right hon. Gentleman tell the House who are buying these imported typewriters?