§ 78. Sir W. Smilesasked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware that the import of finished granite memorials from Finland has led to the discharge of 60 men formerly employed in the granite industry of County Down; and whether he will in future arrange to import soft wood from Finland in place of finished granite.
§ Mr. BottomleyImports of manufactured granite from all sources in 1948 amounted to 76 tons, valued at £3,665, United Kingdom production of granite over the same period exceeded four million tons, and I cannot therefore regard the imports as a serious threat to United Kingdom production. Every attempt is made to secure the maximum supplies of essentials during trade negotiations. For the reason we agreed to imports of granite from Finland, I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the reply given to a supplementary question arising from an answer to my hon. Friend the Member for East Woolwich (Mr. Hicks) on 18th November.