§ 7. Mr. Jannerasked the President of the Board of Trade whether in view of the policy of Her Majesty's Government not to restrict imports of goods from Hong Kong, what other steps he proposes to take to save the knitted woollen gloves industry in Leicester and other parts of the country from being eliminated.
§ Sir D. EcclesI do not accept the hon. Member's view that, in the absence of action by Her Majesty's Government, the knitted wool glove industry will be eliminated. Although imports of knitted wool gloves from Hong Kong increased substantially last year, United Kingdom production up to the end of October, the latest date for which returns are available, showed an increase each quarter over the corresponding quarter of 1955.
§ Mr. JannerMay I ask the President to convey to his right hon. and learned Friend the Minister of State my thanks for having informed me that tomorrow he is going to Leicester to meet industrialists? May I also ask, through the President, whether the Minister of State will, while there, inquire into the parlous condition in which this particular Leicester industry finds itself? May I further ask where the Minister got his information from, and whether it is not a fact that 500,000 pairs of knitted gloves were manufactured in this country in 1956, whereas 900,000 pairs were imported from Hong Kong? And is he aware that the position is growing progressively worse—
§ Mr. SpeakerOrder. That is quite enough for one supplementary question, surely.
§ Sir D. EcclesMy right hon. and learned Friend will, of course, make excellent use of his time in Leicester, and no doubt, if the hon. Gentleman's case is as stated, he will hear about it.