§ 5. Colonel Sir ARTHUR HOLBROOKasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that the Belgian Customs authorities have announced their intention to increase their Customs tariff on special steel from 5 per cent. to 15 per cent. ad valorem; that the French Customs duties on similar steels have been increased from 95 francs per 100 kilos in 1922 by successive stages to 300 francs per 100 kilos, which took effect from 2nd March. 1928, the last increase being nearly 100 per cent., viz., from 160 francs to 300 francs per 100 kilos; and whether, in the circumstances, he will consider penalising similar imports into this country from both the countries named?
§ Sir P. CUNLIFFE-LISTERI am aware that the Belgian Government have been pressed to increase the existing duty on special steel, but I have no information as to a definite decision in the sense indicated in the question. Inquiries are, however, being made through His Majesty's Embassy at Brussels. As regards France the facts are as stated in 1573 the question. The present duty of 300 francs or about 48 shillings compares with one of 50 gold francs or about £2 before the War. The answer to the last part of the question is in the negative.
§ Mr. HANNONHow long are we to allow foreign countries to keep putting tariffs against us, without our taking some action?
§ 6. Sir A. HOLBROOKasked the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been called to the fact that high-speed steel contains from 15 to 21 per cent. of tungsten; and, as on tungsten imported into this country there is a duty of 33 per cent., whether he will consider placing high-speed steel on the same footing as tungsten as regards import duty?
§ Sir P. CUNLIFFE-LISTERI am aware that steels containing a percentage of tungsten are imported into this country. The duties imposed by the Safeguarding of Industries Act do not extend to such steels, and I do not see my way to adopt the suggestion made by my hon. and gallant Friend.
§ Sir A. HOLBROOKWill the right hon. Gentleman agree to an inquiry being held as to the possibility of bringing high-speed steel under the Safeguarding of Industries Act?
§ Sir P. CUNLIFFE-LISTERIn the first place, we have no indication from the makers of high-speed steel in this country that they desire any such action to be taken. In the second place, I do not believe that it will be found practicable to levy a duty on small tools and so on containing tungsten, because no one could ascertain what proportion of tungsten there is in the small tools made of high-speed steel.
§ Mr. KELLYHas the right hon. Gentleman any information as to any competition from other countries with regard to high-speed steel?
§ Sir P. CUNLIFFE-LISTERI think that by long experience and an early obtained lead we are holding our own with the whole world in this high-speed steel, in spite of competition.
§ Mr. A. V. ALEXANDERWill the right hon. Gentleman explain for the benefit of Sheffield why safeguarding is 1574 so efficacious in the case of safety razors and other cutlery and is not supposed to be of any value in respect of high-speed steel?