§ Captain WATERHOUSEasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that orders are being held up in the hosiery trade owing -to uncertainty as to the future position of the duties on raw silk and artificial silk; and whether he is able to make a statement to relieve that uncertainty?
Mr. CHAMBERLAINAs regards the first part of the question I have no official information. As regards the second part it is impossible for me at this early date to forecast the financial position next year, and I regret accordingly that I cannot add anything to the announcement on this subject which I made in Manchester last November. But I think it right to add that that announcement must not be interpreted to mean that I was committing myself to the removal of the remainder of the duties on raw silk and artificial silk in the Budget of 1936.