asked the President of the Board of Trade why licences have been granted for the importation of manufactured flower boxes from Holland.

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply given to my hon. Friend the Member for Enfield (Mr. Ernest Davies) on 21st October last about imports from countries whose economies have been disrupted by war. Two licences only have been granted for the import of flower boxes from Holland. These were intended for the special purpose of the Christmas trade.

Is my hon. Friend aware that we have ample capacity in this country for the production of all materials necessary for this kind of article, and is it not wrong that we should risk throwing our own people out of employment in this manner?

No, I am not aware that we have ample supplies necessary to enable this production to be carried on in this country.

Would the hon. Gentleman do his best to import all the available packing cases and materials for making them, since the horticultural industry is hampered by the lack of cases?

Yes, Sir.