HC Deb 05 July 1956 vol 555 c1512
9. Mr. Dodds

asked the President of the Board of Trade the number of pairs of rubber footwear imported from Hong Kong this year up to the latest convenient date; and what were the comparable figures for 1951 and 1955.

Mr. P. Thorneycroft

There were 9.9 million pairs in the first five months of 1956, compared with 1.7 million and 6.0 million in the corresponding periods of 1951 and 1955, respectively.

Mr. Dodds

In view of the tremendous increase, will the right hon. Gentleman state whether there is any limit with regard to the importation of this type of footwear? Is he satisfied that the footwear was produced in Hong Kong?

Mr. Thorneycroft

The Question refers to footwear produced in Hong Kong, and so does the Answer. With regard to a limit, it is not our practice to impose quota restrictions against a Colonial Territory—and we have a very favourable balance of trade with Hong Kong.