§ 31. Mr. Lyonsasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware of the large amount of foreign-made hosiery merchandise imported into this country during the last six months; and whether he can estimate the approximate amount of employment that would have arisen in this country by the manufacture here of that amount of merchandise?
§ Mr. StanleyThe aggregate declared value of imports of hosiery in the six months ended 31st January, 1939, was £1,258,000, as compared with £1,319,000 in the corresponding period a year earlier.
202 As has been previously explained to my hon. and learned Friend, I am unable to give an estimate of the amount of employment that would be provided by the manufacture here of the hosiery that is imported.
§ Mr. LyonsIn view of the large demand and of the danger of the home trade and employment being displaced, can my right hon. Friend say what steps he is prepared to take to relieve the conditions of emergency in this very large industry?
§ Mr. StanleyIf my hon. and learned Friend has followed this matter he will be aware that this question of hosiery has been or is to be discussed between the industrialists of this country and those of Germany.
§ Mr. LyonsWill my right hon. Friend receive a deputation from this country to see how it can be helped by means of the existing machinery?
§ Mr. StanleyCertainly, but one of the things which the industry itself is now inquiring into is how far conversations with the German manufacturers can help to improve the situation.
§ Mr. Speaker rose—
§ 47. Mr. Lyonsasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware of the fact that representations by the National Federation of Hosiery Manufacturers for increased duties on foreign-made hosiery merchandise were made in July, 1938, to the Import Duties Advisory Committee; and whether he can state the reasons for the delay and when a decision may be expected?
§ Sir J. SimonIt is the practice of the Committee not to disclose what applications are under consideration until it becomes necessary to advertise them in the usual way. No advertisement has been issued up to the present in respect of the goods to which my hon. and learned Friend refers, and I regret that I am therefore not in a position to give answers to his questions.
§ Mr. LyonsIn view of the position would my right hon. Friend consider asking the committee to expedite the hearing of this application?
§ Sir J. SimonI do not know that I can undertake to do that, but I am sure the matter has not been overlooked.