§ 20. Mr. Piratinasked the President of the Board of Trade what was the quantity and value of woollen cloth imported from Italy during the past year; how did the prices compare with English manufactured cloth; and how did these imports help to implement his policy of increasing our own output of textiles.
§ Mr. H. WilsonImports of wool cloth from Italy in 1948 amounted to 4,673,000 square yards, the value of which was £2,743,660. It is not possible to compare prices of the very wide ranges of cloths involved. These imports have not affected the expansion of our own production of wool textiles which is limited by shortage of labour.
§ Mr. PiratinWould the Minister assure the House that these imports from Italy will cease as soon as it is estimated that there are sufficient materials to supply the manufacturers? Is he further aware that the manufacturers complain that they have to pay at the rate of 1s. 8d. more per yard for this cloth and that they receive no benefit from the ceiling price?
§ Mr. WilsonThe facts are not as stated by the hon. Member. The prices of certain of these cloths and certainly of others are lower than home market prices. I cannot give the assurance for which he has asked.
§ Major Tufton BeamishIs the Minister aware that a number of firms have been exporting woollen cloth to Italy to meet their export programme and are reimporting into this country the same cloth made up into suits? Is that a good example of Socialist planning?
§ Mr. WilsonNo, Sir, it is not done by Socialist planning but by individual firms. I was not aware of the fact stated by the hon. and gallant Gentleman and if he will let me have the details I shall be glad to look into them.