HC Deb 28 May 1913 vol 53 cc166-7
13. Mr. CHARLES BATHURST

asked whether the Prime Minister is aware that whereas in 1909 25,081 tons of tinplates were imported into Canada from the United Kingdom and only 7,856 tons from the United States, in 1912, as the result of the repeal of the Canadian anti-dumping law, 8,071 tons only were imported from the United Kingdom and 45,941 tons from the United States; and whether, in view of the present depression in the British tinplate trade, the Government will make representations to the Canadian Government with a view to re-enactment of the said law?

Mr. BUXTON

The so-called antidumping duty in Canada is leviable by virtue of the Dominion Tariff Act of 1907, which has never been repealed. The Act, however, provides for the imposition of this special duty only in the case of imported articles of a class or kind made in Canada, and in view of the cessation of the manufacture of tinplate in the Dominion, the special duty so far as regards this article was withdrawn on 6th July, 1909. Unless and until the manufacture of tinplate is resumed in Canada, no question of the application of the antidumping clause to tinplate can arise.

Mr. C. BATHURST

As there is a very general feeling amongst the masters and men that such a representation should be made to the Canadian Government, would the right hon. Gentleman be prepared to receive a deputation from the trade on the subject?

Mr. BUXTON

I do not quite understand. The Anti-Dumping Clause can only come into force when tinplate is made in Canada. Tinplate is not made in Canada, therefore the Anti-Dumping Clause does not apply.

Mr. C. BATHURST

Is the right hon. Gentleman not aware that in consequence of the action of the Canadian Government, to which he has referred, the United States have got possession of the tinplate market in Canada which formerly we possessed?

Mr. BUXTON

I am not in possession of the figures as to the tinplate trade of the United States in regard to Canada.

Mr. HEWINS

Surely the anti-dumping law was in operation? [HON. MEMBERS: "No, no."]

Mr. W. THORNE

Is it not the fact that in consequence of the coal strike in 1912 a great deal of the Welsh tinplate trade went to America, and that it had nothing to do with the question of Tariff Reform at all?

Mr. BUXTON

I think that is so.