§ Mr. WARDLAW-MILNEasked the President of the Board of Trade what was the number and value of hosiery machines imported into this country, respectively, in the years ending April, 1925, and April, 1926; what was the value
224Wpension work on 1st March, 1926, 1st July, 1926, and 1st November, 1926, and the average number so employed per (working) day during the inclusive period 2nd July, 1926, to 31st October, 1926?
§ Mr. McNEILLThe information requested is given in the following table:
of the hosiery needles imported for the same periods; whether any Government inquiry held in recent years into the hosiery needle industry has recommended an increase in the safeguarding duty; and, if so, whether the Government propose to take any action in the matter?
225W
§ Sir P. CUNLIFFE-LISTERThe following tables give particulars in reply to the first two parts of the question.
The quantity and value of the registered imports of hosiery and knitting machines and of hosiery latch needles, respectively, during the periods in question were as follows:
Imports into Great Britain and Northern Ireland.
(a) Hosiery and Knitting Machines. Quantity imported. Declared value thereof. Tons. £ Twelve months ended 30th April, 1925 1,337 571,107 30th April, 1926 1,810 643,563 (b) Hosiery Latch Needles. Quantity imported. Declared value thereof. No. £ Twelve months ended 30th April, 1925 26,274,484 89,460 30th April, 1926 30,936,870 94,145 With reference to the third and last parts of the question, the Committee which reported on 29th March last on the operation of the Key Industry Duties recommended a continuance of a duty on hosiery latch needles and consideration of the question of the desirability of increasing the rate of duty then existing. After careful consideration it was decided to make no change in the rate of duty; and the duty was continued at the rate of 33⅓ per cent. for a period of 10 years by the Finance Act of this year.