§ 16. Major Procterasked the President of the Board of Trade what representations have been made to him by any section of the cotton trade to reduce the importations of yarn, made-up garments, and textile piece goods into Great Britain in view of the recent increase in these imports.
§ 26. Mr. Hamilton Kerrasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he has given any consideration to the possibility of quantitative restriction upon the imports of cotton textile manufactures entering this country; and whether, in view of the recent increase in such imports, he will investigate this method of dealing with the problem at the earliest opportunity?
§ 28. Captain Sir William Brassasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware of the widespread anxiety felt by producers in the textile industry, as well as by makers-up, at the rapid growth of the imports of piece goods and made-up garments; and whether he will consider the possibility of some form of restriction upon the quantities of such goods to be imported?
Mr. StanleyMy attention has recently been drawn to this matter by the Joint Committee of Cotton Trade Organisations in conjunction with certain other textile interests. As I have pointed out on previous occasions, it is always open to the interests affected to apply to the 2886 Import Duties Advisory Committee for increased measures of protection. I have no power to impose quantitative limitation on these imports; but with regard to certain of them I understand that proposals are under consideration for conversations between the industrial interests concerned in the various countries with a view to arranging for the better regulation of the market. I know of instances in other industries where such arrangements have been successful, and I hope it will be found possible in this way to avoid the need for other action.
§ Major ProcterMay I ask whether any representation has been made to the Import Duties Advisory Committee, and, if not, can my right hon. Friend explain the foolishness of the cotton trade in not using the means that the Government have provided to help the cotton trade?
Mr. StanleyOn several occasions, in answer to questions on this subject, I have pointed out the possibility of application to the Import Duties Advisory Committee; but, as far as I am aware, no application has yet been made by the industry to that body.
§ Sir W. BrassIs my right hon. Friend ready to encourage these talks between importers and manufacturers through his Department?
Mr. StanleyYes, most ready. If there is any way in which I or my Department can be of any assistance I shall be only too glad to offer it.
§ Mr. A. ReedAre not many of these applications to the Import Duties Advisory Committee hampered by our trade agreements and the most-favoured-nation treaties?
§ 22. Mr. Burkeasked the President of the Board of Trade what discussions have taken place between representatives of His Majesty's Government and representatives of the Egyptian Government now in this country regarding the recently increased tariffs on cotton exports from this country, and with what result?
§ 25. Mr. Hamilton Kerrasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is now in a position to make any further statement with regard to the Anglo-Egyptian conversations on the subject of British cotton exports to Egypt?
§ Mr. O. StanleyDiscussions with the Egyptian Government are still proceeding, and I am not yet in a position to make a statement.
§ Mr. BurkeDid the right hon. Gentleman hear the statement of his colleague the Secretary for Mines on a previous question to the effect that the Government would stand behind the coal industry in its attempt to secure a share of the markets of the world? Cannot the right hon. Gentleman endorse that statement in regard to the cotton trade?
§ Mr. StanleyThe fact that we have done for the cotton trade what we have not done for any other, that is, to impose a quota on the Colonial Empire, is an earnest of the desire of the Government to help the cotton export trade.
§ Miss HorsbrughWill the same earnest desire be expressed with regard to the jute trade?
| Table showing the total quantity and the average declared value of the imports into the United Kingdom of the undermentioned description of tissues wholly of artificial silk consigned from(a)Japan(including Formosa) and (b) other countries during the years 1936 and 1937. | ||||
| — | Quantity. | Average declared value. | ||
| 1936. | 1937. | 1936. | 1937. | |
| 1,000 square yards. | 1,000 square yards. | Pence per square yard. | Pence per square yard. | |
| Tissues, wholly of artificial silk, exceeding 12 inches in width, not bleached, dyed or printed— | ||||
| Consigned from Japan | 626 | 674 | 3.4 | 3.6 |
| Consigned from other countries | 127 | 391 | 13.5 | 13.9 |
§ 24. Mr. Burkeasked the President of the Board of Trade what was the monthly average, in yards, of grey cotton piece-goods imported into this country in 1936, 1937 and the monthly average for the present year; and what percentage of these averages came from Japan?
§ Mr. StanleyThe average monthly imports into this country of grey cotton piece-goods during the years 1936 and 1937 and the six months ended June, 1938, amounted to 1,884, 1,748 and 2,208 thousand square yards, respectively; the proportion consigned from Japan (including Formosa) was 79, 89 and 87 per cent., respectively.
§ 23. Mr. Burkeasked the President of the Board of Trade the amount of grey rayon cloth imported from Japan in 1936 and 1937, together with the average price per yard of this cloth compared with the average price of grey rayon cloth imported from other countries?
§ Mr. StanleyThe precise information desired by the hon. Member is not available, but I am circulating in the OFFICIAL REPORT a statement showing such particulars as can be obtained.
§ Mr. BurkeIs the statement with regard to grey rayon cloth similar to the one with regard to piece goods, which shows that the price of finished grey cloth is 7d. from Japan as compared with is. 8d. from other countries?
§ Mr. StanleyObviously it is not the same price, but it also shows that the prices of Japanese goods are lower than those of other countries.
§ Following is the statement:
§ Mr. BurkeHas there not been a considerable revival in the first two months of this year of the exports of grey goods from Japan, and that out of 23,000,000 square yards, 2,200,000 were from Japan; and that they have captured a considerable margin of trade in various parts of the world, where their goods are going as finished goods?
§ Mr. StanleyI would refer the hon. Member to the answers I have given to other hon. Members.
§ Major ProcterWill the right hon. Gentleman see that these goods which are printed in this country are not permitted to go to the Colonial Empire as British goods?