§ 41. Mr. RHYS DAVIESasked the President of the Board of Trade if he will state what foreign countries exercise the right of prohibition of imports; whether this right has recently been 490 exercised in respect of any British goods; if so, will he give particulars; and whether it is proposed to take any action in this matter?
§ Major COLVILLEAs the answer is rather long, I will, with the hon. Member's permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.
§ Following is the answer;
§ Prohibitions and restrictions are imposed by most countries on grounds connected with the preservation of public health, the defence of animals and plants-against disease and on similar grounds.
§ With regard to prohibitions and restrictions of a commercial character there are in the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics and Persia systems which involve a general State control of import trade, and in a number of other countries the importation of some classes of goods is subject to control or restriction, although in only a few cases does this amount to a complete prohibition of imports. The following are perhaps the most important recent measures which may affect United Kingdom trade:—
§ France. —Import control, by licences, of coal, etc., and of nitrogenous fertilisers. Quota systems (limiting imports to specified maxima) instituted for various goods including fish and some other foodstuffs.
§ Belgium.—Import control, by licences, of wheat flour, nitrogenous fertilisers, and coal.
§ Germany, Czechoslovakia and Poland.—Restrictions on importation of nitrogenous fertilisers.
§ Latvia.—Maximum quotas fixed for many classes of goods.
§ Iceland.—Import restrictions on many classes of goods.
§ Colombia.—Import prohibition on various luxury goods.
§ Detailed particulars in regard to the import restrictions in the last three named countries will be found in the issues of the Board of Trade Journal for 19th November, 12th November, and 8th and 29th October.
§ As regards the last part of the question the main interest of His Majesty's Government is to secure that no discrimination is exercised by the countries concerned against the United Kingdom, and so far there has been little cause for complaint on this score.