HC Deb 11 April 1921 vol 140 cc703-4
2. Mr. RARER

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether certificates of origin are now required for all shipment of wood goods from Scandinavian ports to the British possessions; and, if so, whether, in order to save both trouble and expense which would be incurred by shipment of numerous small parcels, His Majesty's Government would be willing to accept a general undertaking from the different Scandinavian timber mills certifying that they are shipping only timber of Scandinavian origin?

Sir P. LLOYD-GREAME (Secretary, Overseas Trade Department)

Certificates of origin are not now required in connection with the German Reparation (Recovery) Act in this country for wood and timber consigned from Sweden or Norway. In other parts of the Empire the question does not at the moment arise in this connection, as the matter of legislation, on the lines of the Act referred to, is still under consideration. I may add, however, that in view of the prohibition of the import of German goods into Australia, certificates of origin are required for all goods consigned to that Dominion from Scandinavia.

Mr. RARER

Why are they demanding certificates of origin at Liverpool for wood goods?

Sir P. LLOYD-GREAME

This matter was considered only a few days ago. We have gone into it carefully and notices have been given.