§ SIR CHARLES McLAREN (Leicestershire, Bosworth)I beg to ask Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer if his attention has been called to the increase in the export of pig-iron from Canada to this country; whether he is aware that this iron enjoys a bounty of 12s. a ton; and whether the Government propose to take any steps to protect the iron trade of this country against colonial bounty-fed competition.
§ MR. AUSTEN CHAMBERLAINThe hon. Baronet's Question appears to be founded on a misapprehension of the 1135 facts. The imports of pig-iron from Canada, which rose to over 50,000 tons in each of the years 1901 and 1902, fell last year to under 4,000 tons. There is a rise in the first two months of the present year, but the figures are still far below the average of the two years 1901 and 1902. I should add that these figures include American iron shipped through Canada. I am aware that a bounty on export is given by Canada on a scale diminishing year by year. It now amounts to about 12s. 5d. per ton of pig-iron produced from Canadian ore, and to about 8s. 3d. on pig-iron produced from foreign ore, and is subject to a reduction each year till 1906–7, when it will be 35 per cent. of the original figures. The abolition or modification of these bounties would be a proper subject for consideration whenever our fiscal and commercial relations with our Colonies come under review.
§ MR. HERBERT SAMUEL (Yorkshire, Cleveland)Do these figures include Canadian pig-iron coming from American ports?
§ SIR CHARLES McLARENIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that the Canadian ports are closed during the winter?
§ MR. AUSTEN CHAMBERLAINI am not certain whether the figures I have given include Canadian shipments from American ports, but I will, if the hon. Baronet puts down a specific Question, make inquiries on the subject.