§ Mr. HANCOCKasked the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been drawn to the fact that, owing to the great difference in the rate of exchange, French and German lace is now being imported into this country at 40 per cent, below the price at which it can be manufactured here, and that as a result 90 per cent, of the lace trade employés of Nottingham are on the dole; and, if so, what steps, if any, he proposes to take in the matter?
§ Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKSI am aware that imports of lace at low prices are
1556Wand exported from the United Kingdom in each of the periods specified:
being received from the countries mentioned by the hon. Member and that serious unemployment exists, though I am not prepared to accept the figures quoted by the hon. Member. I have received an application from the lace trade under Part II of the Safeguarding of Industries Act. The application is under consideration.