§ 3. Captain DOWERasked the President of the Board of Trade what representations have been made by His Majesty's Government to Denmark regarding the duties recently imposed by Denmark on certain classes of British goods, including hats, ordered at the exhibition at Copenhagen; and can he inform the House of the result of such representations?
§ Dr. BURGINRepresentations have been made to the Danish Government regarding the adverse effect which the recent increase in the Danish tariff has had on orders taken at the Anglo-Danish Exhibition. Exceptions from the increased duties have been allowed in respect of consignments of certain classes of goods ordered before the 10th October for delivery before the end of the year. I understand that any modification of the Danish law is impossible at the moment, since the Danish Legislature is not now sitting; but I have reason to hope that, when it re-assembles, means will be found to extend the exceptions so as to cover all classes of goods ordered at the Exhibition.
§ 20. Colonel GOODMANasked the President of the Board of Trade if his attention has been called to the revised 917 Danish tariff on imports of British gloves; if his Department have calculated whether the new tariff will be of greater adverse effect than the previous tariff; and whether any steps have been taken by his Department to draw the attention of the Danish Government to the effect of the new tariff on the British glove industry?
§ Dr. BURGINThe new Danish tariff increases the import duty on leather gloves. This duty with other Danish Customs duties will be reviewed in the course of the forthcoming negotiations with Denmark. Meantime representations as to the adverse effect of the increased duties on orders taken at the recent Anglo-Danish Exhibition have been made to the Danish Government.
§ Colonel GOODMANIs the hon. Gentleman aware that Great Britain is Denmark's best customer, and does he consider that this latest move is consistent with the alleged desire of the people of Denmark to do more business with their best customers?
§ Dr. BURGINI think the increases have been imposed at an unfortunate time.
§ Mr. RHYS DAVIESCan the hon. Gentleman tell the House whether the Danish Government, by chance, have made representations to our own Government protesting against the tariffs imposed against Danish goods coming into this country?
§ Dr. BURGINCertainly not without notice.
§ 9. Mr. GRANVILLE GIBSON (for Mr. HANNON)asked the President of the Board of Trade the amount of British manufactured goods exported to Denmark during the 10 months ended 31st October, 1932, and the amount of such goods retained for consumption in Demark?
§ Dr. BURGINParticulars of the exports of manufactured goods from the United Kingdom to individual countries, as distinguished from those of other classes of goods, are compiled in respect of calendar years only. No information is available regarding the amount of the exports from the United Kingdom to Denmark which is retained for consumption in that country.