HC Deb 26 February 1935 vol 298 cc931-3
23. Mr. LYONS

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been drawn to the fact that the imports of cotton stockings and, hose from Japan have increased in January, 1935, as compared with January, 1934, by 40,000 dozen pairs, or 36 per cent.; and whether he is prepared to take any new steps to deal with this increasing importation?

Mr. RUNCIMAN

I would refer my hon. and learned Friend to my reply to his question on 13th November last, to which I have nothing to add.

Mr. LYONS

Is it not a fact that unemployment in this industry is now greater than it was in November; and, in view of that unfortunate fact, will the right hon. Gentleman invite the attention of the Import Duties Advisory Committee to the power which they have to act immediately in the interests of trade and employment in the hosiery industry?

Mr. RUNCIMAN

My answer to the previous question covers the points raised by my hon. and learned Friend.

24. Mr. LYONS

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been drawn to the fact that the exports of artificial silk stockings and hose to British countries have declined in January, 1935, as compared with January, 1934, by 21,700 dozen pairs, or 60 per cent.; whether he has any information as to whether this decline is due to increasing competition from Japan; and, if so, whether he is prepared to make representations to British countries for increased protection for the British exporter against this competition?

Mr. RUNCIMAN

I am aware of the fact stated in the first part of the question. Nearly two-thirds of the decline occurred in respect of exports to the Irish Free State as the result of restrictions recently imposed on the imports of this class of hosiery into that country. I have no information as to the causes of the balance of the decline in January, but I would point out that up to the end of 1934 the aggregate exports to British countries other than the Irish Free State have shown successive annual increases in quantity since 1931.

Mr. LYONS

In view of the unfortunate exclusion by the Irish Free State of our industries, does not the right hon. Gentleman think that the time is more than ripe for some action, in order to protect British employment in our home market, and to stop the great flow of imports which is putting thousands of people in this industry into great jeopardy as regards employment?

Mr. RUNCIMAN

Those facts could certainly be laid before the Import Duties Advisory Committee as an argument for further duties.

Mr. LYONS

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware of the fact that the Import Duties Advisory Committee have power on their own initiative to act in the face of these unfortunate circumstances and need not wait for one industry to take its place in the queue after another in order to take action?

Mr. RUNCIMAN

It is open to them to make representations, and I have no doubt they will do so at once.