§ 33. Sir K. WOODasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he can give the House any information as to the recent increase in the duty on all cotton goods imported into Switzerland?
§ Mr. W. GRAHAMA recent Swiss decree provides for the increase, as from the 10th March, of the duties on cotton tissues weighing 6 kilogrammes or more per 100 square metres, unbleached, bleached, dyed or printed, as well as certain other cotton goods. Details were published in the Board of Trade Journal for 5th March, of which I am sending the right hon. Gentleman a copy. This increase will not affect the low concessional rate applied to tissues imported for the use of the Swiss embroidery industry, of which I understand the bulk of our trade in unbleached goods consists, and I am given to understand that substantial quantities of our bleached dyed and printed goods will also be unaffected as being lighter than 6 kilogrammes per 100 square metres.
§ Sir K. WOODWill this matter be considered at the Tariff Truce Conference now being held?
§ Mr. GRAHAMNot necessarily individual specific cases like this. The Conference is devoted to much wider questions.
§ Mr. HANNONMay I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether in any representations he has made on this decree he quoted the Tariff Truce as a reason why Switzerland should be treated to some concessions?
§ Mr. GRAHAMSo far as I understand the question, I think that is not so.
§ Mr. DOUGLAS HACKINGWill this increase in duty have any effect upon the Lancashire cotton industry?
§ Mr. GRAHAMMy information is that this is of a very limited effect, and I am glad to be able to make that statement.