§ Mr. KELLYasked the President of the Board of Trade whether any consideration has recently been given by his Department, in consultation with the Irish Free State, to the wages and conditions of the men engaged in the lighthouse service in the Free State area?
§ Mr. W. GRAHAMThe general position of the men engaged in the Irish lighthouse service in the Free State area is, of course, one of the questions included in the negotiations which are in progress with regard to that service, but it is not possible to make any statement at present.
Year. Retained Imports. Domestic Exports. Quantity. Declared Value. Quantity. Declared Value. Number. £ Number. £ 1926 1,213,464 3,177,637 1,086,582 2,927,360 1927 (a) 1,005,404 2,079,017 1,028,222 2,373,498 1928 (a) 280,451 479,778 979,976 2,292,605 1929 (a) 163,998 286,008 1,393,963 3,144,789 (a) The above figures exclude, as from 12th April, 1927, Outer Covers for Pneumatic Motor Tyres accompanying and forming part of the equipment of complete Vehicles or Chassis, or fitted to wheels imported or exported separately. Separate particulars of the outer covers so imported or exported, either prior or subsequent to 12th April, 1927, are not available. Note.—The figures for 1929 are provisional.
§ Mr. RAMSBOTHAMasked the President of the Board of Trade if he will supply complete quarterly average figures of production, prices, imports and exports for the years 1924 to 1929, inclusive, in the motor tyre industry?
§ Mr. GRAHAMAs regards imports and exports, I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given to the hon. Member for East Willesden (Mr. D. G. Somerville) on 4th February last, of which I am sending him a copy. I regret that I am not in a position to supply complete figures of production or prices during the periods specified in the question.