§ 75. Mr. N. Macphersonasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware of the curtailment in the production of rubber footwear, resulting in considerable unemployment; and what evidence he has of the extent to which it is attributable to increased imports of inferior products from Hong Kong and Europe and to a decline in retail sales, respectively.
§ Mr. P. ThorneycroftI am aware that there has been a fall in the production of rubber footwear, but I cannot say how far this has been responsible for any unemployment or apportion the blame between the causes suggested by my hon. Friend.