HC Deb 14 April 1949 vol 463 c271W
Mr. F. Noel-Baker

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that the decision to import worked marble memorials from Italy has caused apprehension among British monumental masons in view of the difficulty of competing with Italian prices resulting from lower rates of pay in that country; and if he will reconsider this decision.

Mr. Bottomley

Imports of worked marble from Italy are at present limited to 20 per cent. by value of pre-war, which represent an annual rate of import of £50,000. I cannot agree that imports on this scale constitute a serious threat to producers in this country.