§ 10. Mr. Ronald Chamberlainasked the President of the Board of Trade how many hosiery repair needles were imported in the year 1948; and what licences for further imports are current.
§ Mr. H. WilsonI regret that this information is not available.
§ 11. Mr. Chamberlainasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that hosiery repair needles are being imported for use in conjunction with machines manufactured by a French company established in this country; and whether, in view of the fact that such importation is detrimental to an all British manufacturing company which has been granted a limited production permit of machines and needles, and of the stated policy of his Department, he will reconsider the permission of this import.
§ Mr. H. WilsonI am not prepared to prohibit the importation of these needles. Prohibition could not be justified on balance of payments grounds. It would also lead to suspension of manufacture of machines of which the needles form a small but indispensable part.
§ Mr. ChamberlainIs it fair to this company, which is working on a very low quota, that there should be this tremendous flood of needles from abroad—because it is a tremendous flood—to fit machines manufactured by this French 2257 company established in this country; and is that in accordance with the policy which has been laid down?
§ Mr. WilsonI cannot accept the statement that there is a flood of needles coming in. Certainly import licensing was not designed, and has never been operated, for the protection of individual manufacturers. What is happening is perfectly fair, and most of the needles are being incorporated in machines now made in this country.
§ Mr. ChamberlainThat answer is so unsatisfactory that I give notice that I shall endeavour to raise the question on the Adjournment.