§ 68. Mr. Sorensenasked the President of the Board of Trade to what extent the sale of umbrellas in this country and their 12W export abroad have been affected by imports from overseas countries and by overseas competition in world markets; and what are the main sources of these imports and competition.
§ Mr. LowI have no evidence that the home sales of umbrellas manufactured in this country have been adversely affected by imports, of which the main source is Hong Kong. Exports have fallen from 31,100 dozen in 1952 to 22,298 dozen in 1954, but I have no information how far this decline is due to competition from other countries and how far to an increase in home demand. Foreign competition overseas comes mainly from Japan but also from Italy and Germany.