asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he will state the value of the pottery imported from Japan in each of the years from 1933 to date.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Imported Japanese Pottery.
Prior to 1st April, 1935, statistics of imports were compiled by country of consignment; from that date by country of origin. The values of the imports of pottery consigned from Japan in the years 1933, 1934 and the three months January to March, 1935, and of the imports of Japanese origin in the nine months April to December, 1935, are published under the heading "articles of domestic use —glazed" in a table on page 253 of "Trade and Shipping Statistics, 1935" (P. No. 2215). The value of the imports of pottery of Japanese origin in the year 1936 and in the nine months January to September, 1937, was respectively £10,972 and £21,837.
In view of the increased imports of pottery from Japan, where it is produced under coolie conditions of labour, and where they have the benefit of a substantially favourable exchange, does the Minister propose to take any steps to restrict the imports of such pottery, in view of the fact that there is a native industry here producing pottery?
That is a separate question.