§ 15. Mr. A. Edward Daviesasked the President of the Board of Trade what exports of china and earthenware in terms of value and weight have been arranged under the recent commercial negotiations between the sterling area and Japan.
§ Mr. H. WilsonI take it my hon. Friend refers to exports from Japan. The Commonwealth countries participating in the trade agreement estimate that purchases of Japanese manufactures of china and earthenware to the aggregate value of approximately£190,000, including£40,000 for the Colonies and nothing for the United Kingdom, may be made in the year ending June 30th, 1949. It would not be for me to disclose detailed estimates put in by other Commonwealth countries and there are no estimates based on weight.
§ Mr. DaviesCan the Minister tell us that steps are being taken to protect the conditions of employment and production? We want to protect ourselves against the conditions which obtained before the war, which had a serious reaction upon the competitive position of this country.
§ Mr. WilsonThat does not arise either in connection with these particular negotiations or the Question, but as I told the 2153 House a week ago, we are going very carefully into the question of what might he done in that matter, both in regard to the textile and other industries.