HC Deb 28 July 1959 vol 610 cc308-9
37. Mr. Holt

asked the President of the Board of Trade the value of the exports of glac6 kid leather for the periods January-April, 1957, 1958 and 1959.

Mr. Vaughan-Morgan

In the first four months of 1957, 1958 and 1959 the values of exports were £160,000, £182,000 and £175,000 respectively.

Mr. Holt

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that there is a great opportunity for further expansion of the export trade in glace kid and that the real problem is getting hold of the right type of raw material, and that previous Answers by the Board of Trade have created the impression that the problem is misunderstood by them, and that the high quality kids required can be obtained only from countries whose exports to us have to pay 10 per cent. duty? Will he do something about removing this?

Mr. Vaughan-Morgan

I do not think I agree with the hon. Gentleman's premise. There has been, as we are advised, a switch of fashion between glace and suede kid. If the hon. Gentleman considers exports of full chrome kid leather as a whole, he will see a substantial increase over the years, which shows that there is no special shortage.