§ 38. Mr. BURKEasked the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been drawn to the increase in the imports of Japanese grey cloth for dyeing and finishing in this country; whether he is aware that large quantities of this cloth in the finished state finds it way into British markets, such as Egypt; and what steps he proposes to take to deal with this menace to Lancashire's cotton trade?
§ Mr. RUNCIMANThe answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. In reply to the second and third parts, I would refer the hon. Member to the answers on this subject which I gave on 28th April and 5th May last to the hon. Member for Central Bradford (Mr. Leach). At the same time, to avoid possible misapprehensions, I would point out that Egypt is not a British country.
§ Mr. BURKEIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that the exports of cotton piece goods have dropped 50 per cent., and does he not think it is time the Government announced a policy, as other Departments have done, with regard to cotton?
§ Mr. RUNCIMANWe have taken many steps for dealing with the problems of the cotton industry, but we cannot pretend that they are coming to fruition at once.
§ Mr. BURKEIn view of the widespread distress, is it not high time that something was done for the cotton industry?
§ Mr. SPEAKERThere have already been several supplementary questions and we must get on with the questions on the Paper.
§ 39. Mr. BURKEasked the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been drawn to the report made by the Commercial Counsellor to the British Embassy at Buenos Aires on the future prospects of Lancashire textile exports to the Argentine due to Japanese competition in cotton piece-goods; and what steps he proposes to take in order to remove the anxiety felt in Lancashire because of the uncertainty of future trade relations between the United Kingdom and the Argentine?
§ Mr. RUNCIMANYes, Sir. As regards the second part of the question, the hon. Member no doubt knows that trade negotiations with Argentina are in progress. The interests of the cotton industry are certainly being kept in mind in this connection.
§ Mr. BURKEIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that in the Argentine there are particularly favourable conditions for Lancashire trade and, having in mind the fact that in other markets we are prejudiced by Japanese competition, will he handle this question with particular sympathy, not only in the interests of the Lancashire cotton trade, but of the Yorkshire woollen trade and of the consumers of the country generally.
§ Mr. RUNCIMANWe have had that in mind in the discussions we have had with the Argentine representatives.
§ Mr. LEVYIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that these goods are being exported labelled and stamped as of British manufacture, and they are not manufactured in this country at all?
§ Mr. RUNCIMANThat is not the subject of the question. Perhaps the hon. Member will put it on the Paper.