HC Deb 07 December 1937 vol 330 cc177-8
11. Mr. Short

asked the President of the Board of Trade the volume of imports of Japanese bakelite electrical accessories during the last eight months; whether the retail prices of these articles are considerably lower than those of British manufacture: whether the question has been recently reviewed by the Import Duties Advisory Committee and, if so, with what result?

Mr. Stanley

I regret that I cannot supply information as to the volume of imports of bakelite electrical accessories from Japan as accessories of bakelite are not recorded separately from those made of other materials. An application for increased duty on certain electrical accessories has been made to the Import Duties Advisory Committee who have no doubt taken the question of retail prices into consideration, but in regard to the last part of the question I must refer the hon. Member to the reply given by my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer on 8th July last to the hon. and gallant Member for Tiverton (Lieut.-Colonel Acland-Troyte).

Mr. T. Williams

Will the right hon. Gentleman discourage buyers in this country from purchasing anything from Japan?

Mr. Stanley

That is rather a different question.

Mr. R. C. Morrison

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that Japanese wireless sets are being retailed in this country at 24s. and 25s. each?