§ 13 and 14. Mr. MANDERasked the President of the Board of Trade (1) to what extent the Australian Government have reduced duties on British goods as a result of consideration by the Australian Tariff Board, in accordance with the Ottawa Agreements;
(2) the number of instances in which tariffs have been raised and reduced against foreign countries as a result of the Ottawa Agreements in respect of Australia?
§ Mr. RUNCIMANThe Commonwealth Government have made a, number of reductions in the duties on Empire and foreign goods since the Ottawa Conference. It is understood, however, that as a result of an election pledge they are precluded from making any extensive reductions except on the recommendation of the Tariff Board. Consequently, in the Trade Agreement concluded at Ottawa, they were only able to enter into definite commitments as to the margins of preference applying to United Kingdom goods over foreign goods. The Commonwealth Government also undertook in that Agreement that all the existing protective duties on United Kingdom goods should be reviewed by the Tariff Board. This review, I have no doubt, will begin as soon as possible.
§ Mr. MANDERCan my right hon. Friend say whether the review has already taken place, and whether any reductions have already been made?
§ Mr. RUNCIMANThe review is now proceeding.
§ Mr. MANDERCan my right hon. Friend confirm the information given by the British Broadcasting Corporation that in 400 cases the duties have been raised on foreign goods and reduced on 20 only?
§ Mr. RUNCIMANNo, I do not gather my statistics from the British Broadcasting Corporation.
§ Sir PERCY HARRISWould my right hon. Friend publish a list giving correct particulars, not British Broadcasting Corporation particulars, of the concessions we have had from Australia?
§ Mr. RUNCIMANA good deal of information on that point was given during the Debate in the House. If hon. Members require any further information, they should kindly put their Questions on the Paper.
§ Mr. CHARLES WILLIAMSWould it not be better if some of these hon. Members occasionally attended and listened to the Debates
§ Mr. MANDERIs it not a fact that the information given by the British Broadcasting Corporation is Government official information?