HC Deb 16 November 1937 vol 329 cc202-3
41. Captain Ramsay

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that heavy price cutting by foreign importers has resulted in greatly increased imports of certain types of low-grade carpets and velvet goods; and whether he will consult with representatives of the industry in this country with a view to the imposition of a quota or the prohibition of imports of these goods at abnormally low prices?

Mr. Stanley

I am aware that there has been some increase in imports of carpets and of cotton pile fabrics, but I have no power to impose a quota restriction or prohibition on imports. Any question of an increase in the import duty on such

Table showing the quantity and declared value of leatherboard and imitation leatherboard imported into the United Kingdom during the undermentioned periods, distinguishing the principal countries of consignment. As regards production, the only year for which figures are at present available is 1935. According to the provisional figures the total quantity made for sale in that year was 244,000 cwts., valued at £201,000.
Leatherboard and imitation leatherboard. Quantity. Declared value.
1934 1935. 1936. Jan.to Oct., 1937. 1934 1935 1936 Jan.to Oct., 1927
Cwts. Cwts. Cwts. Cwts. £ £ £ £
Total imports into the United Kingdom. 414,354 394,280 452,773 392,630 220,926 199,854 227,572 209,424
Of which consigned from:
Canada 28,415 29,381 22,075 (a) 14,903 15,629 13,440 (a)
Finland 24,869 11,573 55,078 12,658 6,033 26,083
Sweden 155,595 184,042 209,802 84,041 93,904 105,126
Norway 30,676 29,858 23,884 16,932 15,426 12,574
Germany 138,218 95,436 93,535 75,085 48,124 47,814
Netherlands 11,464 10,826 13,681 4,437 3,905 4,885
(a) Not readily available.
NOTE.—Particulars of imports and production of leatherboard are not compiled separately from those of imitation leatherboard.