§ 17. Captain STRICKLANDasked the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been drawn to the fact that in Japan the minimum rates of wages paid by the Teikoku Rayon Company are 1s. 5d. a day for men, 8½d. for women; by the Toyo Rayon Company 1s. 3½d. for men, 7½d. for women; by the Kurishiki Silk and Asahi-Bemberg Companies 11¼d. to men, 5d. to women; and what steps he proposes to take to protect the work and wages of the British silk and artificial silk industries against the effect of these low wage rates?
§ Mr. RUNCIMANI have seen a Press report that these rates of wages are payable to rayon yarn operatives in Japan. I would remind my hon. and gallant Friend that the silk duties were revised, in accordance with the recommendations of the Import Duties Advisory Committee, in July last.
§ Captain STRICKLANDIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that the Japanese socks I hold in my hand can be purchased for 1s. 2d. for 10 pairs; and how does he expect our British industries to stand against competition like that?
§ Mr. HANNONMay I ask what progress is being made with the Anglo-Japanese agreement? Are the negotiations likely to come to a conclusion at an early date?
§ Mr. RUNCIMANThat question does not arise out of the answer.