HC Deb 22 February 1955 vol 537 cc1041-3
8. Mr. Burke

asked the President of the Board of Trade, in view of the fact that the overseas market in Lancashire textiles is shrinking through unfair foreign competition, what steps are being taken to preserve the home-trade market for Lancashire textiles.

Mr. P. Thorneycroft

Without commenting on the reasons advanced by the hon. Member, I think he is right in drawing attention to the fact that the problem facing the Lancashire textile industries is primarily one of falling exports rather than rising imports. On the second part of his Question, the home market for United Kingdom textiles is protected by a tariff on all imports other than those from the Commonwealth, and limited by a quota in the case of Japan under our trade and payments agreement with her. United Kingdom production of cloth today commands over 90 per cent. of the home market.

Mr. Burke

Does the Minister realise that drills from Bombay are being quoted in this country at 19¼ pence per yard, and check tea-towels at 8s. 3d. per dozen, and is the home trade to go the same way as the export trade? Is the Minister doing anything to protect the home trade?

Mr. Thorneycroft

The hon. Gentleman asked for the measures of protection, which I have set out clearly in the answer to the Question.

Mr. Fort

What representations has my right hon. Friend received from the official organisations of the industry setting out detailed proposals to protect the home market from imports of Indian cloth?

Mr. Thorneycroft

Up to the present I have had no detailed or specific proposals for action, although many people have said that action ought to be taken. I have invited the Cotton Board to come and see me and to put before me the kind of action which it would regard as appropriate, if it were decided that action should be taken.

Mr. H. Wilson

Since the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Trade last week did not seem to be aware that Lancashire cotton piece-goods exports are lower now than in any peace-time period for over a century, will the right hon. Gentleman not recognise that one of the main reasons for this, quite apart from Indian competition, is that some of the warnings we gave in this House a year ago about the Anglo-Japanese Trade and Payments Agreement are now bearing fruit, particularly in certain colonial markets?

Mr. Thorneycroft

The fact that the Anglo-Japanese Trade and Payments Agreement fixes a precise and definite limit upon the imports of Japanese cloth into this market at the present time——

Mr. Wilson

On a point of order——

Mr. Thorneycroft

One moment, let me finish the answer. With regard to exports, it would scarcely help the export trade of this country in textiles if I were to cut off the supply of Indian gray upon which a substantial part of the trade is based.

Mr. Burke

Owing to the unsatisfactory nature of the reply, I beg to give notice that I will raise the matter on the Adjournment.