§ 49. Colonel WEDGWOODasked the President of the Board of Trade whether 1418 he has any information as to the increase in the Danish tariff on pottery and china and, if so, what the increase amounts to; and whether any steps are being taken to get it reduced?
§ Lieut.-Colonel COLVILLEParticulars of recent increases in the Danish tariff were published in the Board of Trade Journal on the 20th October. I am sending the right hon. and gallant Member an extract showing the changes that have been made in the duties on pottery. There is a provision by which porcelain, earthenware and stoneware ordered before 10th October for delivery before the end of 1932 may be imported at the former rates of duty up to 31st January, 1933, if accompanied by a special import licence issued by the Valuta Kontor. The difficulties caused by the increases in the duties have been taken up with the Danish Government.
§ Colonel WEDGWOODCan my hon. and gallant Friend say when the negotiations with the Danish Government on this subject are likely to start and whether Mr. Bruce and Mr. Bennett will be represented at them?
§ Lieut.-Colonel COLVILLEMy right hon. Friend should know that this matter has already been taken up with the Danish Government without waiting for the negotiations, which, in point of fact, will take place very shortly now.
§ Colonel WEDGWOODAre we expecting any good to come of these negotiations?
§ Lieut.-Colonel COLVILLEConcessions have already been made, as I have indicated in my answer.