HC Deb 22 November 1920 vol 135 cc8-10
12. Mr. G. TERRELL

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he can state the principle adopted in connection with the valuation of £316,805 for musical instruments and £383,865 for clocks imported from Germany this year; and whether he can furnish any information to show the German value of the same goods as expressed in marks?

Sir R. HORNE

As stated in the form of entry used in the case of the goods in question, the value which is required to be stated by merchants in their entries is the price in sterling which an importer would give for these articles if the articles were delivered freight and insurance paid in bond at the port of importation. The value in marks on any particular day can be obtained by a conversion of sterling into marks at the rate of exchange of that day, but as it varies from day to day, it will obviously be a fluctuating figure. In making the calculation, the hon. Member will have to make allowance for any cases in which additional charges are made in respect of export.

18. Sir WILLIAM DAVISON

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that tens of thousands of pounds' worth of German toys are being dumped in this country for the Christmas market without any indication having been placed upon them as to their country of origin; and whether he will take steps to secure that all German toys are stamped with a notification showing their German origin, so that British citizens who desire that their children should receive British-made toys at Christmas and who object to their children playing with toys made in Germany may be in a position to know the origin of the toys which they purchase?

Sir R. HORNE

I am aware that considerable quantities of toys are being imported from Germany, but I have no information to indicate that they are being "dumped." There is no power to require that all imported articles should bear an indication of the country of origin. The question of amending the existing law has, however, been considered and reported upon by the Merchandise Marks Committee, and a Bill is being drafted to give effect to the Committee's recommendations.

Sir W. DAVISON

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that this industry is being carried on largely by disabled British soldiers, and also that a large number of people would prefer that their children should have toys manufactured by these soldiers rather than by Germans who caused their disablement?

Sir R. HORNE

I am aware that a certain number of toys are being manufactured at the present time by disabled British soldiers, and I am also aware of the sentiment to which my hon. Friend refers in the second part of his question: but that equally leaves the practical point to be dealt with, and you can only deal with it by legislation.

Mr. G. TERRELL

Will the Bill to deal with this matter be introduced this Session?

Sir R. HORNE

I think that my hon. Friend, who has far more experience of Parliament than I have, must be perfectly well aware that it would be impossible to pass any such Bill this Session.

Sir W. DAVISON

Would it not be practically an agreed measure that these toys should be stamped with an indication of their country of origin, whether we put a duty on them or not?

Sir R. HORNE

To amend the law dealing with Merchandise Marks in this country would require legislation, and I do not suppose that my hon. Friend would propose that it should be dealt with otherwise.