§ 68. Sir W. SMILESasked the President of the Board of Trade how many yards of foreign-woven cotton-cloth were imported into this country to be bleached, finished, or dyed and re-exported later marked "Made in England" for the 12 months to 30th September, 1936, or to the nearest convenient date?
§ The PRESIDENT of the BOARD of TRADE (Mr. Runciman)During the 12 months ended June, 1936, the total quantity of cotton piece-goods consigned from foreign countries and imported into the United Kingdom under the terms of Section 13 of the Import Duties Act, 1032, for process and subsequent re-exportation was 14,464,000 square yards.
§ Sir W. SMILESIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that there is a great deal of discontent in Lancashire over this position, and can he take any steps to remedy it?
§ Mr. RUNCIMANI know it has been causing a good deal of anxiety in many quarters. If any evidence is brought before us as to any improprieties being committed, I shall be glad to examine it at once.
§ Sir JOHN HASLAMIs the right hon. Gentleman not aware that this is done with deliberate intent, that it is much cheaper to bleach and finish abroad than it is in this country, and that there is only one intention in doing it, which is recognisable by everybody concerned?
§ Mr. LEVYIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that these goods which are only partially processed are sent out marked and stamped as British manufacture?
§ Mr. RUNCIMANThere is no means of ascertaining what proportion of the goods, if any, is marked in this way. If that is being done, it might be an offence under the Merchandise Marks Act, 1887, and if we have evidence that that is the practice, I will certainly deal with it.
§ Mr. LEVYIs it not obvious that these goods which are imported in the grey and are simply printed and finished here, and are sent out as—