§ Mr. LLOYDasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he had received representations from British traders with Japan as to the uncertainty introduced into their trade with that country by the power given to the Japanese Executive in the new Tariff Bill to alter the specific rates at six months' notice without consulting Parliament; and whether he would make any representations to the Japanese Government so as to remove this element of instability in British trade?
§ The PRESIDENT of the BOARD of TRADE (Mr. Sydney Buxton)My right 1918 hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs has asked me to answer this question. The hon. Member appears to be under a misconception. The Tariff Bill in the form in which it was introduced into the Japanese Legislature included an Article providing that in cases in which duties were to be levied ad valorem, such ad valorem rates might be converted into specific duties on the basis of the average values for a period of six months. In the measure as passed, however, this provision of the Bill was entirely omitted.
§ Mr. SYDNEY BUXTONI must have notice of that question.
§ Mr. PETOasked the President of the Board of Trade (1) from what chambers of commerce and other public bodies he has received representations in regard to the proposed Japanese tariff; whether these representations have been considered by the Commercial Intelligence Committee; and whether, for the information of the public, he can now lay these representations upon the Table of the House, with or without the Report of the Committee; and (2) whether the principal changes of the new Japanese tariff, which is to come into force on the 1st July, 1911, are the greatest in the case of goods such as cotton and woollen yarns and cloths, iron and steel goods, leather goods and paper, in which the imports of Great Britain generally predominate over those of foreign countries; and whether, under these circumstances, any steps are being taken by His Majesty's Government to secure for British traders at least as good treatment as that given to any other country?
§ Mr. ARBUTHNOTasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is now in a position to inform the House of the probable effect of the new Japanese tariff, on leading British industries; and whether he can now state the average rate of the new Japanese tariff on dutiable British products as compared with the average of the present duties, and an estimate of the amount of British goods which is likely to be excluded by this enormous increase in duties?
§ Mr. LLOYDasked the right hon. Gentleman whether his attention has been drawn to the estimate that the proposed new Japanese duties on British goods represent an increase of 66 per cent. on present rates, 1919 whereas on goods from all countries the average increase of the new duties is only 50 per cent.; and whether, under these circumstances, he will take action to prevent a larger proportion of British goods than goods from other countries being excluded under this tariff?
§ Mr. SYDNEY BUXTONThe Board of Trade are fully alive to the detrimental effect likely to be produced on British trade with Japan by the new Japanese tariff in its present form. On this subject very careful inquiries have been made by the Board in consultation with their Advisory Committee on Commercial Intelligence. In the course of these inquiries a large number of chambers of commerce, trade associations and individual experts have been asked for information, and many representations have been received, which are still engaging the earnest attention of the Board of Trade and the Committee. As a result, my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs is in communication with the Japanese Government on the whole subject, and in these circumstances it does not appear desirable for me to go into further details or to lay any Papers on the Table at present.
§ Mr. JAMES HOPEHas the right hon. Gentleman any reason to suppose the Foreign Office will be more successful in this case than in the case of the French tariff?
§ Mr. ARBUTHNOTWill the right hon. Gentleman kindly explain why it is, if the consumer always pays the tax, the exporters of this country are so concerned about this tariff?
§ Mr. SYDNEY BUXTONMy former answer practically covers these questions.
§ Mr. LLOYDWould the right hon. Gentleman be good enough to state whether the facts enumerated in my question are correct, and will he take action?
§ Mr. SYDNEY BUXTONI am not prepared to accept the figures given in the question. It is admitted that the tariff will raise the duty, and that is a point which is under the careful consideration of the Foreign Office and of the Board of Trade.
§ Mr. PETOIf it is admitted the new Japanese tariff will raise the duty on the average on goods imported from this country more than on goods imported from any other country, does not the right hon. Gentleman see the advisability of taking some action?
§ Mr. SYDNEY BUXTONI do not admit the premises of the hon. Member's question, but I think my first answer really covers the point.