§ Mr. SCRYMGEOUR-WEDDERBURNasked the Minister of Labour whether he will state the total number of registered unemployed in Port Glasgow in June, 1935, December, 1935, and June, 1936, respectively; how many of these totals were receiving standard benefit and how many receiving transitional payments; and what was the total number of insured workers in Port Glasgow at each date?
§ Mr. E. BROWNThe following table gives the information desired regarding unemployed persons on the registers of the Port Glasgow Employment Exchange:
any information as to the losses caused to the export trade in British cotton goods to China as a result of the recent increase in smuggling through Manchuria; and whether he proposes to take any action in the matter?
§ Mr. RUNCIMANThe following statement shows the quantity and value of United Kingdom exports of cotton piece goods of all kinds to China during 1933, 1934 and 1935, and during the first five months of 1934, 1935 and 1936:
United Kingdom exports of cotton piece goods of all kinds consigned to China. Quantity. Value. Thous. sq. yds. £ 1933 … … … 33,747 786,981 1934 … … … 14,531 436,990 1935 … … … 8,423 272,080 Jan.-May, 1934 … … 9,983 252,441 Jan.-May, 1935 … … 5,465 148,392 Jan.-May, 1936 … … 1,727 57,366 The recent growth in smuggling into China through Manchuria may well have contributed to the falling-off in British exports shown in the above table, but it is not possible at present to estimate to what extent. The report to which my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Secretary referred in his answer to the hon. Member for Bury (Mr. Chorlton) on 29th 1411W June has not yet been received. With regard to the second part of the question, I would refer my hon. Friend to the full reply which was given by the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs to the hon. Member for Stourbridge (Mr. Morgan) on 1st July.