§ 30. Mr. THORPasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that grey textile goods are being imported into this country free of duty for the purpose of being subjected to a slight process in this country and then re-exported as British goods; whether he can state the quantity so admitted during the year 1934; and whether he proposes to take any and, if so, what steps to prevent the continuation of this practice?
§ Mr. RUNCIMANFollowing the earlier representations made by trade organisations in Lancashire, this question, in its various aspects, was fully discussed with a recent deputation from the Manchester Chamber of Commerce, and the whole matter is now under active consideration. In regard to the second part of the question, the quantity of grey cotton piece goods imported in 1934 and entered for delivery for process and subsequent re-exportation was 5,523,600 square yards, valued at £65,600.