HC Deb 27 April 1933 vol 277 cc256-7
42. Colonel WEDGWOOD

asked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs whether the surcharge levied by Canada on imports from this country, due to our departure from the Gold Standard, is also being levied now on imports into Canada from America while the American dollar is off gold?

The SECRETARY of STATE for DOMINION AFFAIRS (Mr. J. H. Thomas)

As the United States dollar is still appreciated in relation to the Canadian dollar, this question does not arise.

Colonel WEDGWOOD

Can the right hon. Gentleman say how much longer this very unbrotherly attitude towards British trade is to be carried out in Canada, considering that other countries who are now off gold are our competitors?

Mr. THOMAS

It would be very difficult to answer that very comradely question.

Mr. MABANE

In view of the substantial movement of sterling towards parity with the Canadian dollar, will the right hon. Gentleman make representations to the Canadian Government that the surcharge should now be removed from imports into Canada from this country?

Mr. THOMAS

If the hon. Gentleman will put that question on the Paper, I will answer it.

Mr. HOLDSWORTH

Can the right hon. Gentleman give the House an assurance that he will see that exporters from this country are in as favourable a position as exporters from the United States into Canada?

Mr. THOMAS

The Ottawa Agreement gives to the exporters in this country a much more favourable position than that of those in the United States.

Sir PERCY HARRIS

Is not this advantage largely wiped out by the penal taxation owing to the depreciated exchange?