HC Deb 09 May 1911 vol 25 cc1007-8
Mr. RICE

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, whether any Excise Duties are imposed in Egypt; if so, will be state on what articles; at what rates the duties are imposed; and what are the corresponding Customs rates?

Sir E. GREY

I have no recent information on the subject. So far as I am aware, an Excise Duty of 8 per cent. ad valorem is levied on salt, which is the same as the existing Import Duty. By a decree issued in 1901, an ad valorem duty was levied on manufactured cotton goods, equal to the Import Duty on the corresponding goods; it was to be calculated on the sum total of the year's sales, with a deduction of 20 per cent., and small local manufactories, in which only handlooms were employed, were to be exempted. The Société Générale des Sucreries et de la Raffinerie d'Egypte agreed in 1904 to pay duties to the Egyptian Government, the total of which was not to fall short of £E12,000 a year. The Import Duty is generally S per cent. ad valorem. I will ask for more recent information in case there have been changes since.

Colonel RAWSON

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, if any agreement had been arrived at between Russia and Japan subsequent to the Anglo-Japanese agreement; and, if so, whether its provisions will be made known?

Sir E. GREY

I assume by Anglo-Japanese agreement the hon. and gallant Gentleman means the recent commercial agreement?

Colonel RAWSON

Yes.

Sir E. GREY

So far as I am aware, no agreement has been arrived at subsequent to the conclusion of the Commercial Treaty between this country and Japan on 3rd April last.