HC Deb 12 March 1935 vol 299 cc220-1W
Sir A. SINCLAIR

asked the President of the Board of Trade (1) in respect of what classes of goods India and each of the Dominions have imposed new duties, or increased existing duties, or imposed quota restrictions on imports from Great Britain since 1st January, 1933; and which Dominions have altered the value of their currencies relative to the £ sterling since January, 1933, and in each case by what percentage;

(2) in respect of what classes of goods exported from Great Britain each of the Dominions and India have removed duties altogether, reduced duties, and abolished quota restrictions, respectively, on exports from Great Britain since 1st January, 1933?

Mr. RUNCIMAN

The changes made since 1st January, 1933, in the Customs duties imposed on United Kingdom goods in the Dominions and India have been very numerous, and a full statement of them would be too lengthy for inclusion in the OFFICIAL REPORT. Full details of them have, however, been published from time to time in the Board of Trade Journal. On 1st January, 1933, there were no quota restrictions on United Kingdom goods in the Dominions or India. In November, 1934. a quota restriction was imposed by Australia on sheet glass, and since September, 1934, certain classes of goods have been made subject to quotas on importation into the Irish Free State. These quotas are still in force. Since January, 1933, the only substantial changes in exchange rates on sterling occurred in Canada and New Zealand. The Canadian dollar stood at $3.77 to the £ on 2nd January, 1933, and at $4.84 on 1st March, 1935; the New Zealand pound stood at 10 per cent. discount on 2nd January, 1933, and at 25 per cent. discount on 1st March, 1935.