§ 13. Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYasked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether his attention has been drawn to the action of the Free State Government in imposing a duty of 5d. per foot upon negative cinematograph film and 1d. per foot on positive film entering or leaving the Free State, even although this film may have already paid a duty on entering English ports; whether he is aware that this duty will adversely affect the British cinematograph industry and whether any representation has been made to the Free State Government on the subject?
§ Mr. ORMSBY-GOREThe reply to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. I have no information regarding the second part. In reply to the third part this is not a matter in which, as at present advised, His Majesty's Government would think it proper to make representations to the Free State Government.
§ Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYIs it not possible to make friendly representations in this matter as you would do to any other country, as it affects certain British trade?
§ Mr. ORMSBY-GOREI think it is a little difficult, in view of the financial circumstances in which the Free State Government find themselves, if, at the moment when we have given them fiscal 945 autonomy and they put up a Customs tariff, we should immediately begin to criticise them.
§ Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYIs not when the Customs tariff is first put on the time to make those representations?
§ Mr. SPEAKERThat is a matter of opinion.