HC Deb 05 June 1930 vol 239 c2371
79. Sir GEORGE HAMILTON

asked the President of the Board of Trade if, in view of the proposal that the Government of the Union of South Africa shall place a duty of not less than 4s. per pair on imported footwear, he will say what steps he will recommend to the Geneva Tariff Conference to prevent this increase of tariff?

Mr. W. GRAHAM

I understand that His Majesty's Government in the Union of South Africa have approved a proposal to impose a minimum specific duty of 3s. 6d. per pair on women's shoes, other than rubber shoes and other than shoes whose uppers are wholly or mainly of leather or canvas. The Union Government did not participate in the Geneva negotiations.

Mr. L'ESTRANGE MALONE

May I ask whether these very important questions are going to be discussed at the Imperial Economic Conference?

Mr. GRAHAM

I could not make any statement about that at this stage.

Sir W. BRASS

May I ask whether any preference is to be given to the Mother Country?

Sir N. GRATTAN-DOYLE

Does not the right hon. Gentleman's answer indicate the futility of his proposals at Geneva in regard to a Tariff Truce?

Mr. GRAHAM

Not at all; I do not take that view of the Geneva Protocol.