Sir WILLIAM BARTONasked the President of the Board of Trade (1) whether his attention has been drawn to the fact that since the cessation of hostilities German chemical companies are rapidly reorganising for peace conditions and raising fresh capital for further development; and whether he is satisfied that the chemical and colour-making undertakings in this country are making sufficient progress to secure the supply in quantity and quality necessary to the maintenance of our pre-war export of manufactured goods;
(2) whether, having regard to the Prohibition of Import (No. 29) Proclamation, 1919, he will undertake that derivatives of coal-tar and all direct colours which may be prohibited will be produced and sold in this country at the same price as they are, or may be, sold by German producers to other countries engaged in competitive manufacturing industries?
§ Mr. BRIDGEMANI am satisfied that very substantial progress has been made444W by the dye-making industry in this country, and I have every reason to believe that it will now become much more rapid. The question of price is one which will, of course, have to be taken into account in determining the extent to which import licences shall be granted, and I would remind my hon. Friend that dye-users are strongly represented on the licensing committee.