§ 29. Mr. C. WILLIAMSasked the President of the Board of Trade if he can give any further information on the question of the export of pilchards to Italy?
§ Mr. W. GRAHAMThe total exports of pilchards, cured or salted, not canned, registered during 1930 as consigned to Italy amounted to 35,169 cwts. valued at £51,870. The exports to Italy, as in previous years, represented about 95 per cent. of our total exports. The import duty levied in 1930 was the same as that levied in 1929, namely, six gold lire per 100 kilog. (about 2s. 6d. a cwt.). Inquiries which have been made recently show that the reduced duty of four lire per 100 kilog. (1s. 7d. per cwt.) lapsed at the end of 1928.
§ Mr. WILLIAMSMay I ask what the right hon. Gentleman has done with regard to his pledge of last year to look into the question to see if he could not get the duty lowered? He gave that definite pledge in the House.
§ Mr. GRAHAMSpeaking from memory an inquiry was made at the time, and I have given the hon. Member such information as is available in reply to his question.
§ Mr. WILLIAMSIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that his last promise was to look into the matter He has done 780 nothing since then as far as I can make out.
§ Mr. GRAHAMI am afraid that I cannot accept that view, I will make inquiry to find out exactly what steps were taken.