§ 38. Mr. Hirstasked the President of the Board of Trade what further representations he has made to the United States Government, in view of the quantity of British wool cloth caught by the unexpectedly early filling of the tariff quota.
§ Sir D. EcclesI have been in communication with our Embassy in Washington and it has made further strong representations.
§ Mr. HirstWhile thanking my right hon. Friend for that answer, may I ask him whether it has been made absolutely clear that the closing of this tariff quota so much earlier than last year—indeed, less than a month after it was announced—has entailed roughly£1½ million in value of wool cloth paying 80 per cent. higher than would otherwise have been the case?
§ Sir D. EcclesMy hon. Friend is right, and this is a severe blow to the Yorkshire industry.
§ Mr. RhodesWill the President of the Board of Trade seek to get altered the basis on which this tariff is made? Is he aware that in years to come the time within which this amount is allowed into America will become shorter and shorter as each year goes by and as the Japanese step up their production?
§ Sir D. EcclesI fear that this is bound to be so, as the hon. Gentleman says. We have brought this point to the notice of the United States Government on several occasions.