§ 6. Mr. DAVID GRENFELLasked the President of the Board of Trade which countries, since the introduction of the Abnormal Importations Bill, have imposed new or additional duties on British imports, and on what articles?
§ Mr. HORE-BELISHANew and increased import duties have been imposed by several foreign countries since the introduction of this Bill. In some countries only one or two articles are affected, but in others a general percentage increase of duty has been applied to most goods. All the new duties and increases are equally applicable to imports from all countries except in the case of the exchange compensation surtax which has been extended to imports into Tunis and French Indo-China since 17th November, though the original tax was imposed in France before that date. Apart from increases of duty, it must be borne in mind that there is a growing tendency in certain foreign countries to restrict imports by other means, as, for example, by prohibitions and exchange restrictions.
§ Mr. GRENFELLThe hon. Member has not told me which countries. That was the question I asked him.
§ Mr. HORE-BELISHAI beg the hon. Member's pardon; I have told him. The countries are Tunis and French Indo-China.
§ Mr. GRENFELLAre those the only two countries?
§ Mr. HORE-BELISHAThe only two countries by which this country is specially affected because of the tariff. In other cases all countries are affected equally.