HC Deb 08 December 1931 vol 260 cc1703-5W
Mr. FLANAGAN

asked the President of the Board of Trade the total tonnage of iron and steel in wire rods, wire, and wire nails imported during the first and second 10-day periods of November?

Mr. RUNCIMAN

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply given on 24th November to my hon. Friend the Member for Rotherham (Mr. Herbert) in regard to the objections to statistics for shorter periods than one month.

Miss CAZALET

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will make it clear that overcoats in the Customs Importation Order, 1931, include women's two-piece or three-piece suits, seeing that an overcoat forms part of such suits?

Mr. RUNCIMAN

My hon. Friend's proposal would require an amendment of the Order in question, and I would refer her to the answer given on 25th November to the hon. Members for Barnstaple (Sir B. Peto), Ealing (Sir F. Sanderson), and South-East Leeds (Major Milner).

Sir H. CROFT

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that the manufactures of men's outer clothing made wholly of cotton, and of all cotton trouserings, suitings, and gabardines are suffering from the increase of imports of these products from Belgium, Italy, and Czechoslovakia; and whether he will consider taking early steps to give protection to these manufactures?

Mr. RUNCIMAN

"Overcoats" and "Men's and Boys' Suits, Coats, Waistcoats and Trousers," whether of cotton or other material are among the articles to which the provisions of the Abnormal Importations (Customs Duties) Act have been applied. With regard to the other articles mentioned by my hon. and gallant Friend, I must refer him to the answer given to the hon. Members for Barnstaple (Sir B. Peto), Ealing (Sir F. Sanderson) and South-East Leeds (Major Milner) on 25th November.

Mr. RATCLIFFE

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, in view of the desirability of restricting the import of silk manufactured goods as luxury articles by reason of our adverse balance of trade, he will take powers to impose a duty on these and similar goods?

Mr. RUNCIMAN

I would remind my hon. Friend that silk and goods made of silk have been subject to duty for some years. As regards the Abnormal Importations (Customs Duties) Act, I would refer him to the reply given on 25th November last to the hon. Members for Barnstaple (Sir B. Peto), Ealing (Sir E. Sanderson) and South-East Leeds (Major Milner).

Viscount EDNAM

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether his Department can furnish an estimate of the financial advantage accruing to the national income from free imports of iron and steel, having regard to the cost of maintenance of the unemployed iron and steel workers and the loss of wealth in wages and production in the iron and steel industry?

Mr. RUNCIMAN

I am afraid that no reliable estimate can be made.

Major COLFOX

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will ascertain and publish the destinations of the principal classes of goods dumped into this country before the recent anti-dumping legislation, in order that the public may be warned not to pay unduly high prices for these goods?

Mr. RUNCIMAN

I am afraid my hon. and gallant Friend's suggestion is not practicable.