asked the President of the Board of Trade why large consignments of American boots for civilian trade purchased by merchants in Belfast and other centres are placed in bond and will not be permitted to reach the market until after the War: is he aware of the shortage in supplies: and what advantage is to be gained by holding up these stocks?

Forty-three firms, of whom ten are in Belfast, have been concerned from time to time in the irregular importation of boots and shoes. Such irregular importations are in strictness liable to confiscation, but these firms have been allowed to give bonds for the release of their consignments, subject to conditions which would deprive them of commercial advantage from the irregularity. Had it been decided to allow any importation of boots and shoes, the firms would have been released from their bonds after a period of waiting, but it has now been arranged that they shall be offered the opportunity of disposing of the consignments under a scheme which will provide for only a small profit.

If we can prove to the right hon. Gentleman that these goods were in transit at the time the embargo was put on, what answer will he give us?

J would ask the hon. Gentleman to let me have more detailed information, and I will go into the matter further.

Is the Government in this, as they are in the buying of tea, making money at the expense of wearers of boots and the users of tea?

No, Sir; we are making no profit whatever.

You are out of the tea, certainly…