§ 43. Mr. JAMES DUNCANasked the President of the Board of Trade the date of the signing by this country of the International Convention for the Abolition of Import and Export Prohibitions; what classes of goods does the Convention cover; how long does it last without renewal; and what is the policy of the Government as to continuing its operation?
§ Mr. RUNCIMANThe Convention was signed on behalf of the United Kingdom on 8th November, 1927, and brought into force by a Protocol signed on 20th December, 1929. It remains in force for five years from 1st January, 1930, but any of the countries which still remain parties (namely, the United Kingdom, the United States of America, Denmark, Japan, the Netherlands and Norway) may withdraw on 30th June, 1932, or on the same date in 1933, or 1934. It covers all descriptions of merchandise, but permits of prohibitions or restrictions imposed for certain purposes, such as health, and public security. The Convention, however, provided for the maintenance of certain exceptional prohibitions by particular countries, and in particular allowed of the continuance of the prohibition in force in this country of the importation of synthetic dyestuffs and analogous products. As regards the last part of the question, His Majesty's Government will consider before next June whether or not they shall remain parties to the Convention, but no decision has yet been taken on the subject.