§ Sir H. MEUXasked the President of the Board of Trade whether be is aware that the Government arc allowing the importation of foreign-made corsets, whilst the British Corset Manufacture Association, Limited, are restricted to the importation of only a small proportion of the steels and raw materials necessary for the purpose of making corsets in this country; is he aware that the space occupied by steels for making corsets is a very small fraction of the space required for the fully-manufactured corset; is he aware that the British corset industry has a large capital invested in it; that there are about 70,000 employés, nearly all women; and that, owing to these restrictions, this essential national industry is in jeopardy and, unless relieved by the authorities, is bound to close down; and what action he proposes to take in the matter?
Sir A. STANLEYDuring the first three months of the present year the quantity of materials for corsets licensed for importation was over twelve times the quantity of corsets licensed. In fact, licences have been given for larger quantities of material than licensees have been able to get shipped. In these 575W circumstances it is evident that any shortage of materials is due not to import restrictions, but to lack of shipping.