§ Sir J. LONSDALEasked the hon. Member for Oswestry, as representing the War Trade Department, if he is aware that the addition of linen duck woven to Class B of prohibited imports has given rise to uncertainty as to the particular class of goods which is intended to be affected by the prohibition, and that, consequently, quantities of goods ready for export to which it is believed the prohibition is not intended to apply are held up from shipment, and the trade is threatened with the stoppage of looms and the throwing out of employment of many workers; and if he will give a more explicit definition of the class of goods to which the prohibition is intended to apply?
§ Mr. BRIDGEMANThe prohibition upon the export of ducks woven was originally to certain countries in Europe only, List C, and I am informed by the Board of Trade, as the Department in charge of these Orders, that the transfer of ducks woven from List C to List B by the Order of Council of the 7th of June was made at the instance of the Ministry of Munitions. I am aware that it is difficult to state with certainty what particular class of goods is affected by this prohibition, and a letter was addressed by the War Trade Department on the 21st July to the Board of Trade drawing their attention to the matter and asking them that steps might be taken to state the prohibitions affecting linen in a more comprehen- 1077W sive form. A reply to this letter has now been received asking for further information, which will be given as speedily as possible. I am not aware that quantities of goods ready for export are being held up from shipment, but I will make inquiries with a view to minimise any difficulty which may have arisen.
Mr. M. BARLOWasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware of the difficulty in importing bulbs from Holland for the ordinary purposes of the English market; will he state to what this difficulty is due; and whether there is any likelihood in future of licences for importation being more readily granted?
Mr. HARCOURTThe prohibition on the importation of bulbs from Holland was established with the sole object of saving tonnage. No licences are being granted and I am not prepared to authorise the issue of any in the immediate future.
§ Commander BELLAIRSasked the President of the Board of Trade whether all necessary steps have been taken to notify shipowners of the prohibition of the import of hops; whether he will cause inquiries to be made as to why freights were lowered on hops from Atlantic ports to England from 4.50 dollars to 3.10 dollars per 100 lbs. on 7th June; and will he state the latest date of any shipment at Atlantic ports?
Mr. HARCOURTThe Prohibition of Import (No. 6) Proclamation which prohibits the importation of hops among other articles, was brought to the notice of the public in the same manner as all other prohibitions of import. I see no sufficient reason for making the inquiries suggested in the second part of the question, and with regard to the last part I have no sources of information other than those which are open to the hon. and gallant Gentleman.