HC Deb 05 April 1927 vol 204 cc1847-50
5. Brigadier-General Sir HENRY CROFT

asked the President of the Board of Trade what was the value of

porting countries annually since the end of the War?

Sir P. CUNLIFFE-USTER

As the answer involves a table of figures, I propose, with the concurrence of the hon. Member, to have it circulated in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Following is the reply:

The following statement shows the length of exposed cinematograph films imported into the United Kingdom during the under-mentioned years, distinguishing the principal countries from which the goods were consigned:

motor cars imported from Canada during the last three months; and what was the total value of imports of motor cars from the rest of the world in that period?

Sir P. CUNLIFFE-LISTER

I will circulate in the OFFICIAL REPORT the particulars asked for by my hon. and gallant Friend.

Following is the reply:

The following statement shows the value of the total imports of motor cars and parts into the United Kingdom in the three months ended February, 1927, consigned from Canada and from all other countries:

Description. Consigned from Canada. Consigned from other countries.
£ £
Motor cars complete:
Touring cars (including cabs) 191,577 758,049
Commercial Vehicles — 8,721
Chassis for Motor Cars 94,828 263,066
Other parts (excluding rubber tyres and tubes) 31,784 650,746
Total Imports 318,189 1,680,582

6. Sir H. CROFT

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is satisfied that motor cars exported from Canada to Great Britain on a preferential basis are manufactured in Canada and that the labour used on these cars is entirely Canadian?

The FINANCIAL SECRETARY to the TREASURY (Mr. Ronald McNeill)

Before motor cars consigned from Canada are admitted into this country at the preferential rate of duty, satisfactory documentary evidence is invariably required that at least 25 per cent. of the total value is the result of labour within the British Empire.

Sir H. CROFT

Does the right hon. Gentleman not think that this percentage is rather absurd? Is not the result that the Americans are sending parts into Canada and having them put together by Canadian labour?

Lieut. - Colonel Sir FREDERICK HALL

Is it not an acknowledged fact that there is more than 25 per cent. expended in labour on any motor car?

Mr. McNEILL

I think the supplementary questions really amount to matters of opinion.

Sir F. HALL

Is it not a matter of common knowledge?

Sir H. CROFT

Will the right hon. Gentleman look into the question, as it is very serious from the point of view of labour?

Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHY

Is it not the object of Protection to make the other people pay?

Sir F. HALL

No, the object of Protection is to find labour for our own people.

7. Sir H. CROFT

asked the President of the Board of Trade what were the number of motor chassis exported from Great Britain to Australia and what was the total export of the rest of the world during the last three months for which information is complete?

Sir P. CUNLIFFE-LISTER

During the three months ended February last, 6,429 chassis made in the United Kingdom were recorded as exported to Australia. Corresponding particulars for this or for any other recent period less than a year are not available from the official published accounts of the principal exporting countries or of Australia.

The latest available Australian Annual Trade Account is that for 1924–5, and in that year the Australian imports of chassis without bodies numbered 62,079. Of these, 2,514 were declared as of United Kingdom origin.

Sir H. CROFT

Can the right hon. Gentleman tell the House whether it is a fact that the export of chassis to Australia is equal to, if it does not exceed, that of the rest of the world at the present time?

Sir P. CUNLIFFE-LISTER

No, I could not answer that without notice, and indeed I do not think I could answer it with notice, because while we get out our trade returns rapidly, we do not get the returns of other countries until we get their annual returns.

Mr. H. WILLIAMS

Is it not the case that the exports of chassis to Australia are about 10 times greater?

Sir P. CUNLIFFE-LISTER

No, I am sure the figure I have stated in my answer is accurate.