§ 62. Mr. HANNONasked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware of the changes now contemplated in the fiscal policy of Brazil in the direction of the imposition of export duties on certain articles, and increased import duties on the greater number of manufactured articles entering that country; and if appropriate diplomatic measures will be taken to safeguard British trade interests?
§ Mr. W. R. SMITHI have seen statements that a revision of the Brazilian tariff is in contemplation, and that there is a possibility that increases in duties may be found necessary to meet the existing financial situation of that country. The only substantive proposals put forward hitherto, so far as I am aware, are those of which particulars were reproduced in the Board of Trade Journal on 15th January. I am sending the hon. Member a copy of these particulars, 395 together with a copy of the answer to the question asked on 2nd February by the Noble Lady the Member for Kinross and Western Perth (Duchess of Atholl) on the subject of the Brazilian import duties on jute. If and when further proposals are reported, His Majesty's Government will, in accordance with their usual practice, carefully consider what steps can usefully be taken to safeguard British interests.
§ Mr. HANNONHas the hon. Gentleman taken the precaution to ask our representatives at Rio, and get their advice as to any possible changes in the fiscal policy of Brazil?
| THE FOLLOWING TABLES show, according to the information published, the prices and visible stocks of Sugar at the dates mentioned. | ||||||||
| (i) Quotations per cwt. for the specified descriptions of Sugar near at hand or arrived in the United Kingdom (some of which are quite nominal) at the end of January 1928, 1929, 1930 and 1931. | ||||||||
| Description. | 1928. | 1929. | 1930. | 1931. | ||||
| s. | d. | s. | d. | s. | d. | s. | d. | |
| Peru Centrifugals basis 96 per cent., c.i.f. U.K | 12 | 1½ | 9 | 3 | 7 | 10½ | 6 | 0 |
| Cubas/Domingos | 12 | 1½ | 9 | 7½ | 8 | 0 | 6 | 0 |
| Crystallised grocery West India, landed terms*: | ||||||||
| Good to fine | 30s.to 31s. | 23s. 6d. to 24s. 6d. | 20s. 6d. to 23s. | 20s. 3d. to 22s. | ||||
| Low to medium | 29 | 0 | 21 | 6 | 20 | 0 | 18 | 6 |
| Beetroot, Czecho Granulated, f.o.b. prompt. | Not | quoted | 12 | 0 | 10 | 6 | 7 | 1½ |
| * Including duty. |
| (ii) Estimated total visible stocks of Sugar at 1st January, 1928, 1929, 1930, and 1931. | |||||
| At 1st January. | Tons. | ||||
| 1928 | … | … | … | … | 4,201,000 |
| 1929 | … | … | … | … | 4,901,000 |
| 1930 | … | … | … | … | 6,189,000 |
| 1931 | … | … | … | … | 7,636,000 |