HC Deb 20 December 1932 vol 273 cc889-90
10. Mr. MABANE

asked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs if he has received any intimation as to when His Majesty's Government in Canada will appoint the tariff board, for which provision is made in Article 12 of the agreement between the United Kingdom and Canada in connection with the Ottawa Conference?

Mr. J. H. THOMAS

I have discussed this matter with the Prime Minister of Canada, and I am glad to inform the House that I understand that the tariff board will be set up very shortly.

Mr. MABANE

In view of the fact that on 20th August the Canadian Government undertook to constitute the tariff board forthwith, might it not be represented to the Canadian Government that four months is a somewhat liberal interpretation of the word "forthwith"?

Mr. THOMAS

On the contrary, I would very much deplore a hastily conceived tariff board, such as would not give general satisfaction in Canada and in this country. The delay has been justified—according to my knowledge of the board as constituted.

Mr. COCKS

Was not the Ottawa Agreement itself hastily conceived?

19. Mr. BERNAYS

(for Mr. PICKERING) asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will, during the visit to this country of the Prime Minister of Canada, confer with him with a view to giving British manufacturers the right of direct approach to the Canadian Tariff Board to check the use made of preference granted to Canada by American manufacturers to import their products into this country, and to altering the present conditions that make it easier to export British goods to the United States of America than to Canada?

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

On the first and third points I would refer the hon. Member to Articles 10 to 15 of the recent Trade Agreement with Canada. As regards the second point, the conditions under which manufactured goods consigned to the United Kingdom from a part of the Empire may obtain free entry or a preferential rate of duty are at present under consideration.

Mr. MAXTON

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether he and the Prime Minister of Canada understand the same thing by Articles 10 to 15?

Mr. RUNCIMAN

Certainly.

Mr. MAXTON

There was some doubt last week.