HC Deb 16 June 1931 vol 253 cc1602-4
16. Mr. LESLIE BOYCE

asked the President of the Board of Trade the total annual value of carpets imported into Great Britain from foreign countries up to the latest convenient date?

Mr. W. R. SMITH

The declared value of the total imports into the United Kingdom of (a) carpets, carpeting and rugs of wool (including carpets and rugs on a wool or jute basis) and (b) of carpets and rugs of jute, registered as consigned from foreign countries during the year 1930, amounted to (a) £2,933,647 and (b) £230,228, respectively. There were no imports of cork carpet registered as consigned from Foreign countries during this year.

Mr. HANNON

Is the hon. Gentleman aware than in Kidderminster and Bridgnorth a considerable number of persons usually engaged in the carpet industry are unemployed; and what steps do the Government propose to take to remedy this state of affairs?

Mr. SMITH

That does not arise out of the question.

17. Mr. BOYCE

asked the President of the Board of Trade the import duties on British carpets entering France, Germany, and the United States of America?

Mr. SMITH

The duties levied upon British woollen carpets of the kinds exported in substantial amounts from the United Kingdom to the countries mentioned are equivalent in France to from fourpence to a little over eightpence per lb., and in Germany to one shilling per lb. In the United States of America they range from 30 per cent. to 60 per cent. ad valorem. I will have a detailed statement showing the tariff headings and the duties appropriate to each circulated with the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Mr. BOYCE

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that these duties have practically killed the carpet export trade from this country to the countries mentioned in the question; and, will the Government take some steps to impose reciprocal duties on carpets coming from those countries into this country?

Mr. HANNON

How long are the Government going to sit down under

STATEMENT showing the Customs Import Duties at present leviable on Carpets of Wool, of United Kingdom origin, on importation into France, Germany and the United States of America.
— Customs Import Duty according to the Tariff. Approximate English Equivalent.
I.—France. Francs. s. d.
Carpets of Wool: Per square metre. Per square yard.
A. With knotted or twisted pile, including imitations:
Up to 120 rows per metre 80 10 10
From 121 to 300 rows per metre 100 13 6
From 301 to 400 rows per metre 125 16 10
From 401 to 500 rows per metre 190 25 8
500 rows or more per metre 340 45 11
Per kilog. Per lb.
B. Jacquard woven, with looped or cut pile 8 7
C. Phain or Printed:
With cut pile 6 5¼
With looped pile 4½ 4
D. Chenille and Axminster 9½ 8¼
E. Other 8 7
II.—Germany. Rm. per 100 kilogs.
Carpets (of wool), in the piece or shaped, printed or not;
Knotted, even if sewn 600 2 8
Woven 225 1 0
III.—United States of America. Per square foot. Per square foot.
Cents. s. d
Oriental, Axminster, Savonnerie, Aubusson and other carpets, rugs and mats, not made on a power-driven loom, plain or figured, whether woven as separate carpets, rugs, or mats, or in rolls of any width. 50 2 1
but not less than 45% ad val. 45% ad val.
Carpets, rugs and mats of oriental weave or weaves, made on a power-driven loom; chenille, Axminster carpets, rugs and mats; all the foregoing, plain or figured, whether woven as separate carpets, mats or rugs or in rolls of any width. 60% ad val. 60% ad val.
Axminster carpets, rugs, and mats, not specially provided for: Wilton carpets, rugs and mats; Brussels carpets, rugs and mats: velvet or tapestry carpets, rugs and mats; and carpets, rugs and mats of like character or description:
Valued at not more than 40 cents par square foot 40% ad val. 40% ad val.
Valued at more than 40 cents per square foot 60% ad val. 60% ad val.
Ingrain carpets, mats and rugs or art squares, of whatever material composed, and carpets, rugs and mats of like character or description, not specially provided for. 25% ad val. 25% ad val.
All other floor coverings, including mats and druggets, wholly or in chief value of wool, not specially provided for:
Valued at not more than 40 cents per square foot 30% ad val. 30% ad val.
Valued at more than 40 cents per square foot 60% ad val. 60% ad val.

this kind of thing without doing anything?

Lieut.-Colonel Sir FREDERICK HALL

Is it not ordinary business to have reciprocity on equal terms in these matters.

Following is the statement: