HC Deb 12 April 1932 vol 264 cc644-6
23. Mr. GODFREY NICHOLSON (for Captain SOTHERON-ESTCOURT)

asked the President of the Board of Trade the number of countries which have introduced new import duties affecting in any way the importation of British coal; which these countries are; and what is the nature in each case of the new restriction introduced?

The PRESIDENT of the BOARD of TRADE (Mr. Runciman)

Of the 20 principal foreign markets for United Kingdom coal, which account for about 90 per cent. of the total exports, only three countries have during the last six months placed increased duties upon coal. In Italy a surtax of 10 per cent. ad valorem was imposed on coal in September, and a landing tax of 2½ paper lire per ton was imposed in January on coal imported by sea. In Portugal the Customs import duty on coal was increased by 5 per cent. in February; and in Germany, imported coal was made subject to a 2 per cent. import tax in connection with the German turnover tax legislation.

Mr. NICHOLSON

Can the right hon. Gentleman say what steps he is taking in regard to this matter and what line of approach these negotiations will take?

Mr. RUNCIMAN

I should like to have notice of that question.

Mr. DAVID GRENFELL

Can the right hon. Gentleman tell the House what proportion of the coal sent to these 20 countries would in the ordinary way go to the three countries which he has named?

Mr. RUNCIMAN

I could not do so without notice.

Mr. HANNON

Is it not the case that these duties are discriminatory against us, and did not the right hon. Gentleman promise to do his best to get this matter put right? Can he say what has been the result of the negotiations that have taken place?

Mr. RUNCIMAN

There is a question on that point on the Order Paper.

24. Mr. NICHOLSON (for Captain SOTHERON - ESTCOURT)

asked the President of the Board of Trade the number of countries which are adopting discriminatory measures against the import of British coal; which they are; and what is the nature, in each case, of the discrimination?

Mr. RUNCIMAN

Quota restrictions on the importation of coal are in force in Germany, France and Belgium. As I have already informed the House, the recent successive reductions of the quota of British coal imported into Germany are regarded as discriminatory against this country. The French and Belgian quota restrictions apply to coal imported from all countries, but the method of calculation of the quotas and the administration of the licensing systems which give effect to the quotas are considered to be inequitable to this country. In Italy the general landing duty of 2½ lire per ton applies only to goods imported by sea, and accordingly affects coal from this country to a greater extent than coal from other countries.

Mr. HANNON

May I ask whether in the case of Belgium, which has imposed discriminatory duties against us, he has called the attention of the Belgian Government to the fact that we financed the restoration of their industrial life after the War?

Mr. RUNCIMAN

Representations were submitted to the Belgian Government on the 22nd of March, and were followed up by discussions two days later between our Commercial Secretary at Brussels and the Director and Assistant Director of the Mines Department and the Director of the Commercial Relations Department of the Belgian Ministry. We have not yet had the conclusions which were arrived at.

Mr. NICHOLSON

Is the fight hon. Gentleman limiting himself to a protest or is he taking any retaliatory measures?

Mr. LAWSON

Can the President of the Board of Trade tell the House why these countries are discriminating against us?

Mr. RUNCIMAN

In reply to the first supplementary, we do not wish to make any threats against any foreign country if it can be avoided, but, of course, where it is a discrimination against this country we cannot ignore it, and we must take such steps as appear to be necessary.

Mr. NICHOLSON

Has that been done?

Mr. RUNCIMAN

That has been done. In reply to the hon. Member for Chester-le-Street (Mr. Lawson), the discrimination in each of these cases took place before the new departure in British fiscal policy.

Mr. LAWSON

Can the right hon. Gentleman inform the House why these countries are discriminating against us?