HC Deb 20 December 1938 vol 342 cc2649-52
20. Mr. Hamilton Kerr

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that the imports of Lancashire goods into Morocco have fallen from £1,250,000 to £50,000, roundly, during the past 10 years, whilst Moroccan exports to this country have recently substantially increased; and what steps are to be taken under the new trade arrangements with Morocco to ensure that this inequitable balance will be remedied?

Mr. Stanley

I am aware that the facts are broadly as suggested in the first part of the question. As regards the second part, my hon. Friend will, no doubt, be aware that a quota system designed to assist exports of United Kingdom cotton goods to French Morocco was provided for in an exchange of notes annexed to the Commercial Treaty signed last July. The enforcement of the quotas, however, depends on the consent, to be obtained by the French Government, of certain foreign Governments possessing treaty rights in Morocco. His Majesty's Government are watching the matter closely and will take any steps in their power to facilitate the entry into force of the quotas.

Mr. Kerr

Is my right hon. Friend going to enter upon new discussions with the French Government?

Mr. Stanley

It is not a question of any fresh discussions, but of seeing that the results of the previous discussions are put into force as soon as possible.

21. Mr. Kerr

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, in view of his assurance that the proposals for the reorganisation of the cotton industry are to receive the urgent consideration of the Government, he will endeavour to arrange to pass the relative legislation through all its stages in Parliament during the current Session, provided that he receives satisfactory assurances as to the general approval of the cotton textile industry for its provisions?

28. Mr. Burke

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware of the large volume of opinion in Lancashire that, in view of the present condition of the cotton industry, legislation on the lines of the draft Enabling Bill should be introduced without delay; and whether he will take steps to expedite the action necessary for drafting the Bill and obtaining the approval of those concerned so that the Bill in question can reach the Statute Book early in 1939?

38. Mr. Sutcliffe

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he can now give an undertaking that, in the event of a substantial measure of approval being forthcoming for the draft of the Cotton Industry Enabling Bill from the interests concerned, he will arrange for the introduction of the Bill into Parliament at an early date after the Christmas Recess?

Mr. Stanley

The joint committee of cotton trade organisations have just submitted to me a revised draft of their proposals. This draft embodies certain modifications that have been introduced as a result of conversations with various interests affected both in Lancashire and elsewhere, but a number of points of difference that arose in these conversations are still outstanding. I hope, however, that it will be possible early in the new year to complete the drafting of a Bill so that those concerned may have an opportunity of expressing their considered views in regard to its provisions. If the Government are then satisfied that there is a substantial majority of the industry in favour of these provisions, it is their desire to pass a Bill into law this Session.

Mr. Holdsworth

Can the right hon. Gentleman say that no Bill will be introduced which is against the wishes of the Yorkshire manufacturers?

Mr. Stanley

I have no doubt that the Yorkshire manufacturers will take every opportunity when the Bill is introduced of expressing their views upon it.

27. Mr. Burke

asked the President of the Board of Trade the value, in £'s, of the cotton piece goods going from the United Kingdom and from Japan into Belgian Congo, Nyasaland, Tanganyika, Kenya, and Uganda, taken together?

Mr. Stanley

During the year 1937 imports of cotton piece-goods into the Belgian Congo (including Ruando Urundi), Nyasaland, Tanganyika, Kenya and Uganda from the United Kingdom were valued at £350,000 and from Japan at £2,430,000.

Mr. Burke

Is the Minister aware that his colleague the Secretary for Overseas Trade informed the House on 30th November that the total amount going into the Congo Basin Treaty countries was £1,400,000, and will he draw the right hon. Gentleman's attention to the fact that it now appears the amount is three times what he thought?

Mr. Stanley

The explanation is easy. The hon. Gentleman has included in his question a number of territories to which my right hon. Friend did not refer. The Belgian Congo is not a British colony, and Tanganyika is under the mandate, and no quotas can be imposed even if the Congo Basin Treaty were denounced. That explains the discrepancy.

Mr. Burke

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the statement of the Secretary for Overseas Trade gave the total imports of cotton goods from all countries in the Congo Basin Treaty area, but that I asked only for some of the countries?

Mr. Stanley

I have explained the countries to which my right hon. Friend referred, and they are different from the territories contained in the hon. Gentleman's question.

35. Sir Stanley Reed

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether the policy of His Majesty's Government not to accept any new trade agreement with India unless it gives a satisfactory deal to the Lancashire cotton industry, implies that the interests of all other trade between the United Kingdom and India are to be subordinated to a reduction in the Indian import duties on Lancashire textiles?

Mr. Stanley

It is the object of His Majesty's Government to conclude the best agreement with India that can be negotiated in the general interests of this country's trade. While, as I have indicated to the House, the interests of the Lancashire cotton industry in the Indian market call for special consideration, the interests of other industries will not be overlooked.

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