asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware of the low prices at which Japanese merchandise is sold in this country; that men's shirts are sold at 1s. 6d. each, pants and vests at 9d., ladies vests at 6d., and embroidered nightdresses at 1s. 6d.; and whether, in the interests of the workers of this country, he will introduce legislation to prevent the importation of these goods which are either subsidised by the Japanese Government or are the product of sweated labour?

I am aware of the imports to which the hon. Member refers, but I have no reason to suppose that the machinery of the Import Duties Act cannot, where necessary, afford protection to the industry in this country.

As the right hon. Gentleman is taking so long to consider the matter of these labels, is it not probable that the emergency with which we seek to deal will pass before he has dealt with it? Can he not give some indication that he will deal with it now?

That is a different question. The hon. Gentleman did not ask about marking the country of origin, but about action under the Import Duties Advisory Committee.

asked the President of the Board of Trade the total value of goods and/or merchandise exported to and imported from Japan for the 12 months ended the last convenient date?

During the 12 months ended March, 1939, the total declared value of merchandise exported from the United Kingdom and registered as consigned to Japan, including Formosa, was £1,919,000, including re-exports valued at £379,000. As regards imports from Japan during this period, I would refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave him last Tuesday.

Has the right hon. Gentleman any figures in his Department showing the trade between the Commonwealth and Japan?

asked the President of the Board of Trade how many thousands of cases of Japanese low-priced common tea have been imported into this country during 1939; at what price this tea is being sold to the leading English tea-blenders; whether he is aware that this common tea is being mixed with British Indian and Ceylon tea; and what action he intends taking to stop the importation of this tea?

Recorded imports of tea from Japan during the five months January to May, 1939, were 2,298,000 lbs. and represented 1.5 per cent, of total imports of tea during that period. I am informed that the cheaper qualities of Japanese tea are sold by private treaty and that the usual price is 6d. or 7d. per 1b. (excluding duty). I am aware that this tea is blended with Empire tea for the purpose of producing a cheap packet tea, and I have no power to stop the importation.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that in consequence of the large importation of Japanese tea, it is being blended with Ceylon and Indian tea, and that a large number of people are selling that blend as Empire tea, and will he take steps to put a stop to that practice?

If the hon. Gentleman has any definite information to that effect I will certainly be glad to look into it, but I am informed that that is not so, and certainly under the law it could not be sold as Empire tea.

If this Japanese tea is mixed with Empire tea, and is then marked "Empire," can it not be sold as such?

No, it is not allowed to be marked "Empire."

Mr. Alexander:

Is it not the case that under the law it need only be marked as "Empire blend tea"?

I have made inquiries and I understand that it has been sold under the brand of the supplying firm and is not described as "Empire."

Will the right hon. Gentleman insist that all goods coming from different countries shall have stamped upon them "Member of the Peace Block" or "Member of the Axis" as the case may be?