§ 45. Mr. THORNEasked the President of the Board of Trade which countries have recently increased their tariffs on British imported products; and if he can state the percentage increase?
§ Major COLVILLEI propose, with the hon. Member's permission, to circulate a statement in the OFFICIAL REPORT.
§ Mr. ARTHUR MICHAEL SAMUELDo not these figures show the price we have to pay for Mr. Graham's efforts at Geneva?
§ Following is the statement:
§ Increases in Customs duties which might be expected to have an appreciable effect on United Kingdom trade have been made, in the following countries:—
§ September.
§ Italy.—A surtax of 15 per cent. ad valorem on all goods not covered by Treaty except (1) coal (10 per cent.) and (2) a few specified goods which are exempted.
§ Canada.—Provision made for customs duties to be based on values in sterling converted into Canadian dollars at the par rate of exchange and imposition of "special" dumping duty in respect of depreciated exchange.
§ India.—Surcharge of 25 per cent. (of the duty) on practically all import duties, and other tariff increases.
§ October.
§ Argentine.—Important tariff increases, including a surtax of 10 per cent. ad valorem on practically all goods except duty free goods.
1855§ South, Africa.—A surtax of 5 per cent. ad valorem applied to all goods both British and foreign.
§ November.
§ France.—A discriminatory surtax of 15 per cent. ad valorem imposed, as an exchange compensation surtax, on practically all United Kingdom goods.
§ Other countries where there have been recently appreciable tariff increases include Colombia, Denmark, Finland, Poland and Uruguay.