§ 3. Mr. Osborneasked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware that Pakistan is now dumping textiles into Hong Kong at prices which only cover the cost of raw materials; since both are selling below Lancashire costs, if he will call a conference of all Commonwealth 189 textile interests to prevent their mutual self-destruction; and if he will make a statement on the position.
§ Mr. Vaughan-MorganNo, Sir. I have no evidence that Pakistani textiles are being dumped into Hong Kong.
As regards the second part of the Question, the representatives of the United Kingdom industry have been holding discussions with representatives of the Indian and Pakistani industries. If these discussions eventually result in agreement the way will be open for the Lancashire industry to take up the conditional offer of the Hong Kong industry to reopen negotiations for a voluntary agreement.
§ Mr. OsborneIf I send my hon. Friend a report from The Times giving the details of these complaints in Hong Kong, will he look at there? Secondly, can he tell the House whether Sir Frank Lee reached any agreement with Hong Kong on his recent trip there, and, if so, what?
§ Mr. Vaughan-MorganA statement has already been made about Sir Frank Lee's visit. Answering the first part of the question, any evidence of alleged dumping is a matter in the first instance for the Hong Kong Government.
§ Mr. McCannIs not the Minister aware that the recent talks have been concerned only with grey cloth being brought into the country, that the question of yarn has not been mentioned and that the spinners of Lancashire feel that, even though an agreement is reached, nothing will be done to protect their side of the industry?
§ Mr. Vaughan-MorganThe Question which I was answering referred to textiles rather than to yarn.