§ Sir WILLIAM BULLasked the President of the Board of Trade if he can state how many cigar factories have been closed in this country during the last twelve months, and how many operatives have been thrown out of employment owing to the closing of these factories; whether he can say to what extent, if any, the output from cigar factories in Great Britain has decreased during the past twelve months, and what is the number of operatives in those factories at present working short lime; and whether representations have been made by the tobacco trade section of the London Chamber of Commerce to His Majesty's Government to the effect that the decline in the business of manufacturing cigars in this country is due to the duties proposed to be imposed by the Finance Bill lately rejected by the House of Lords?
Mr. BUXTON:I have no statistics of the nature referred to by the hon. Member. I understand that certain representations on the subject have been made to the Treasury, and are under consideration.