§ 37. Mr. HARRISasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department whether he is aware that duty in South Africa is levied on cigarettes imported into that Dominion on the home selling price with duty added in their country of origin; and whether, as such method of levying duty adversely affects British-made cigarettes as compared with the products of other countries, owing to the high rate of duty in this country, he will make representations to the Government of the Union in the interests of the British industry?
§ Sir B. CHADWICKThe answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. As regards the second part, the general question involved formed the subject of a Report adopted by the Imperial Conference of last year, and is to be further examined by the authorities concerned.
§ Mr. HARRISIs the hon. Gentleman aware that the duty on tobacco in this country is higher than in almost any other 19 part of the world, and that the produce of Great Britain is very much handicapped by the high duty paid here?
§ Sir B. CHADWICKYes, I am aware of it, and that is what I say was the subject of an inquiry by the Economic Committee of the Imperial Conference and was submitted to the Customs authorities and others for examination.
§ Mr. HARRISIs this the newest form of Preference?