§ Mr. BETTERTONasked the President of the Board of Trade whether the Government have considered any alternative scheme to the proposal to include the lace industry within the Safeguarding of Industries Act; if so, whether they have come to any conclusion in the matter; and what is the character of the alternative scheme?
§ Viscount WOLMERThe President of the Board of Trade is fully aware of the serious position of the lace industry, to which he has given anxious consideration. It is clear, however, that the position is due very largely to the great falling-off in the export trade, and not to any increase in the volume of imports retained for consumption in this country. The loss of foreign markets would not be remedied by a duty on imported lace. I have suggested to the lace industry the desirability of seeing whether the export credit facilities can he used to extend1064W their export trade; and I shall always be glad to consider any suggestions which the trade are able to put forward.