§ 11. Mr. SMEDLEY CROOKEasked the President of the Board of Trade the average landed value of imported packing and wrapping paper since and before the imposition of the duty; and how the average landed value in 1936 compares with that of 1925?
§ Sir P. CUNLIFFE-LISTERDuty was imposed on packing and wrapping paper, including tissue paper, exceeding 10 lbs., but not exceeding 90 Ibs. per ream, on 1st May, 1926. It is not possible to distinguish, for any period before that date, between the imports of paper which then became dutiable, and those which still remain free of duty. Consequently, it is necessary to give figures throughout relating to the total imports of packing and wrapping paper, including tissue paper. The average declared value (c.i.f. British port) of this paper imported into the United Kingdom in 1925 was £1.21 per cwt.; in January-April, 1926, £1.19; in May to December, 1926, £1.15; in the whole year 1926, £1.1.7, and in January-February, 1927, £1.14.
§ Mr. H. WILLIAMSDoes the right hon. Gentleman think that the drop in prices results from the foreign producers cutting prices to get over the barriers?.
§ Sir P. CUNLIFFE-LISTERIt very well may be so. At any rate, there is a synchronisation.
§ Mr. A. V. ALEXANDERIs that responsible for the increase in unemployment in this country?
§ Sir P. CUNLIFFE-LISTERMy information goes to show that, apart from the inevitable increase in unemployment during the long coal stoppage, both employment and orders are considerably better.