asked the President of the Board of Trade what was the production of gas mantles in this country in 1925 and 1928, respectively, and what proportion of home consumption was met by the British and foreign producer, respectively, in each of those years?

Complete data of the production of gas mantles in this country in the years specified are not available. From the information supplied to me by the manufacturers, it is estimated that the numbers produced were about 310,000 gross in 1925 and about 355,000 gross in 1928; and that imported mantles accounted for about 40 per cent. of the number available for use in this country in 1925, and for less than 5 per cent. of the number available in 1928.

Is the right hon. Gentleman now in a position to state what is the sum paid by the users of British mantles towards the German combines?

No, Sir, I am not. I can only reply, as I think I have informed the hon. Member previously, that, but for the tax which is now on, there would not be any production of gas mantles at all in this country.

Can my right hon. Friend tell me whether it is a fact that the number of people employed in this industry has risen from 1,700 in the last quarter of 1924 to 2,200 in the last quarter of 1928?

I know that there has been a distinct improvement, but I am not quite sure what the figures are.

Arising out of the answer to the Supplementary Question of the hon. Member for North Aberdeen (Mr. Benn), could not the right hon. Gentleman, as President of the Board of Trade, find out what is the commission paid to the German manufacturers, or is he not able to get the information; is he not competent to obtain it?

If the hon. Member puts a question on the Order Paper, and it comes within the province of my Department—and I am not sure that this does—I will do my best to answer it.

Does the right hon. Gentleman deny that a bonus is paid to the German manufacturers?