§ Mr. Walker-Smithasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that large quantities of nylon stockings exported to Gibraltar are re-dispatched for use on the home market in response to orders by post; and what steps he is taking to stop this practice.
Mr. H. WilsonI am aware of the existence of this traffic, and I am glad to say that steps have been taken to endeavour to put a stop to it. In addition to the action taken by His Majesty's Customs in the normal course of their duties, and the charging of Purchase Tax as explained by my hon. Friend the Financial Secretary to the Treasury in reply to a Question by the hon. and learned Member for Uford, North (Mr. G. Hutchinson), on 6th April, the Board of Trade have asked all United Kingdom manufacturers not to export nylon stockings to Gibraltar unless there is good reason to be sure that the stockings are required for the genuine domestic requirements of the people there. United Kingdom manufacturers have been warned that their performance in this respect will be taken into account when yarn allocations are being worked out and they are, in fact, co-operating. The Colonial Office have brought the matter to the notice of the Governor of Gibraltar and have also asked his assistance in bringing the practice to an end.