HC Deb 31 May 1927 vol 207 cc185-6
9. Mr. HARRIS

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether the figures of the value of the imports of articles subject to duties under the Safeguarding of Industries Act given by the Board of Trade are given before the duties have been paid or after they have been paid?

Sir P. CUNLIFFE-LISTER

As stated in the introductory notes to the Monthly Accounts relating to Trade and Navigation and the Annual Statement of Trade of the United Kingdom, the value of imports given in official returns represents the cost, insurance and freight. It excludes any duty which may be leviable.

Mr. HARRIS

Are we to understand that on the top of that has to be added the 33 per cent., of whatever duty there is, in order to get the value of the imports to the consumer or the user or the importer?

Sir P. CUNLIFFE-LISTER

That entirely depends on the question of who pays the duty.