HC Deb 16 April 1935 vol 300 cc1657-8
10. Mr. CHORLTON

asked the President of the Board of Trade the quantity and value of the imports into the United Kingdom from Japan in the years 1933 and 1934, respectively, for the following classes of merchandise: cotton stockings and hose, cotton underwear, shirts, whether of cotton or other materials, cotton piece goods, showing, respectively, total imports and retained imports?

Mr. RUNCIMAN

I am having a statement prepared which I will send to my hon. Friend as soon as possible.

Mr. CHORLTON

Will the right hon. Gentleman take any more definite action after the statement?

Mr. LYONS

Will my right hon. Friend consider the rising unemployment in the hosiery trade of this country?

12. Mr. CHORLTON

asked the President of the Board of Trade the total value in the years 1933 and 1934, respectively, of all classes of United Kingdom imports from Japan and Formosa; and the total value in the years 1933 and 1934, respectively, of all classes of United Kingdom exports to Japan and Formosa?

Mr. RUNCIMAN

The desired information is given on pages 184, 188 and 192 of the Trade and Navigation Accounts for January last.

Mr. CHORLTON

Is the right hon. Gentleman going to help us in this difficult position, seeing that there are so many small firms in this country and that there are difficulties in getting them together to present their case? Will he help us to do it?

Mr. RUNCIMAN

We are always ready to provide for those who are connected with trade or the committee any such information as we have at our command, and they can obtain it now.

Mr. RHYS DAVIES

While the right hon. Gentleman is preparing the statement of our imports from Japan will he put side by side with them the exports of this country to Japan, so that we may get a proper picture of what is happening?

Mr. RUNCIMAN

Yes, Sir. If the information is asked for in that form, I shall be glad to give it. We have come very well out of the transaction.