§ Mr. REMERasked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies if his attention has been called to the large importations of silk goods from Czechoslovakia and other countries into British Colonies on the West Coast of Africa; if he is aware that many of these silk goods are made to registered British designs; and what action he intends to take to bring these orders back to British manufacturers?
§ Dr. SHIELSAccording to the latest reports available, those for 1928, the values of silk goods imported into the three principal West African Colonies were: Nigeria, £173,917; Gold Coast,1526W £542,936; and Sierra Leone, £23,918. Of these amounts £75,417, £331,182 and £21,104 respectively are credited to this country. My Noble Friend has not received any information as regards the designs of such goods and no action is considered necessary. I am aware that some of the goods described as imported from the United Kingdom may be of foreign origin shipped through this country.