HC Deb 19 December 1933 vol 284 cc1102-3
50. Mr. CRAVEN-ELLIS

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will introduce legislation to impose special duties against goods coming from countries which have depreciated their currencies since the date of the Import Duties Act, 1932?

Mr. CHAMBERLAIN

I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer which I gave to the hon. Members for Moseley (Mr. Hannon) and for North-East Derby (Mr. Whyte) on the 23rd November. The position has not changed materially since then.

51. Mr. CRAVEN-ELLIS

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will furnish a complete list of countries which have depreciated their currencies in relation to sterling since the date of the Abnormal Importations Act, 1931, showing in each case the par value of such currencies, the value as at the date of the Abnormal Importations Act, 1931, at the date of the Import Duties Act, 1932, and the value at the latest recorded date; and will he state to what extent the depreciation of foreign currencies has discounted the import duties imposed by this country?

Quotations to £ sterling except where otherwise stated. Date of the Abnormal Importations Act. 20th Nov., 1931. Date of the Import Duties Act. 29th Feb., 1932. Current quotation. 15th Dec, 1933.
Parity.
Greece 375 dr. 300 270 580
Finland 193.23 mks. 192 220 226½
Austria 34.59 sch. 28 32 29½
Jugoslavia 276.32 din. 220 195 240
Estonia 18.16 kr. 14 13 18¼
Norway 18.16 kr. 18.56 18.44 19.90
Sweden 18.16 kr. 18.44 18.12 19.40
Denmark 18.16 kr. 18.56 18.19 22.40
Japan* yen= 2s. 0.58d. 2s. 7⅓ 7/2 d. 1s. 9 5/16d. 1s. 2⅓ 5/2 d.
Philippine Islands* peso= 24.66d. 2s. 6¼ d. 2s. 10½ d. 1s. 11⅜ d.
Argentina $= 47.62d. 37⅛ d. 38¾ d. 35⅞ d.
Peru 17.38 soles. 13.40 12.275 23.05
Mexico 9.76 pesos. 10.25 9.375 17.75
Canada 4.86⅔ $. 4.25 3/1 3/6 3.94½ 5.09¾
United States. 4.86⅔ $. 3.74 3.48 5.13½
New Zealand† £110 11s. 3d. £110 11s. 3d. £125 7s. 6d.
South Africa† £82 10s. 0d. £74 0s. 0d. £100 7s. 6d.
Bolivia 13.33 bols. 13.03 13.10 20.00
Colombia 5 pesos. 4.20 36.2 7.74
Ecuador 24.3325 suc. 20.50 20.68 30.96
Salvador 9.73 cols. 8.44 8.62 16.70
Chile 40.00 pesos. 30.90 29.10
(19th Nov., 1931) (25th Feb., 1932)
* Pence to local currency.
† Rate per £100 sterling.
‡ Quotations on Chile are nominal and the depreciation since February, 1932 (which is heavy), cannot be exactly measured.