HC Deb 22 March 1939 vol 345 cc1264-5
61. Mr. R. Gibson (for Mr. Parker)

asked the President of the Board of Trade what have been the imports of hosiery from Italy and Japan into this country in each of the last two years; what percentage this has been above the quota fixed by the relevant trade organisations; and will he take steps by prohibition or the imposition of a quota to prevent this country from being flooded by dumped hosiery in the future?

Mr. Cross

Under an agreement between the National Federation of Hosiery Manufacturers' Associations and the Japanese Exporters' Association, which came into operation on 1st March, 1937, imports of cotton and wool footwear from Japan were to be limited to 700,000 dozen pairs a year and imports of other cotton and wool hosiery to 1,000,000 dozen. The former figure was subsequently revised to 623,000 dozen pairs for the second year because of excess imports in the first year. There is, so far as I know, no agreement relating to the quantity of imports of hosiery from Italy. During the 12 months ended 28th February, 1938 and 1939, the actual imports of cotton and wool footwear from Japan were 854,000 and 699,000 dozen pairs and from Italy 21,000 and 75,000 dozen pairs, respectively. I understand that discussions will take place between the parties to the agreement regarding any necessary adjustment of the figure of imports of footwear during the third year. The imports of other hosiery were substantially below the agreed figures. With regard to the last part of the question, my right hon. Friend does not consider that any action on his part is called for.

Mr. R. Gibson

Can the hon. Gentleman say how this has affected the hosiery manufacturers in this country?

Mr. Cross

Presumably favourably, because they have made the arrangements themselves.

Mr. Lyons

May I ask my hon. Friend, first, whether the agreement made by the Japanese Association has, in fact, been kept, or whether they are well in advance of the exports which they agreed to limit; and, second, whether, in view of the figures my hon. Friend has given, this is not a matter for the Import Duties Advisory Committee to take up on their own initiative as provided by the Act which established that body?

Mr. Cross

The Japanese did not keep strictly to the agreement, and adjustments are being made in subsequent years to meet that situation. In regard to the second part of the question, the whole advantage which the Japanese got in this agreement is an undertaking that no application will be made for an increased duty while the agreement is in force, and the Federation of Hosiery Manufacturers consider that this agreement is far more favourable than making an application for an import duty.

Mr. Lyons

Can my hon. Friend say how long the agreement is for?

Mr. Cross

I understand it is going on for another year, but I should like notice of the question.

Captain Strickland

Is my hon. Friend aware that this hosiery is dumped here and sold at prices below the cost of production in this country?