§ 20. Mr. LEWISasked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury to what extent the default of the Irish Free State on its obligations to the United Kingdom has as yet been made good by the revenue secured from the Import Duties imposed for this purpose?
§ Mr. HORE-BELISHAThe Irish Free State had already withheld sums amounting to £1,750,000 by the 15th July, 1932, when the Special Duties came into force. The sums withheld between that date and 31st January, 1933, amounted to £2,550,000 and the revenue from the Special Duties and from the duties under the Import Duties Act, 1932, on goods imported from the Irish Free State amounted in all to £1,870,000.
§ Mr. LEWISCan my hon. Friend say whether it is proposed to increase the rate of the existing duties or to impose duties on additional articles with a view to making good that deficiency?
§ Mr. HORE-BELISHAWhatever is appropriate has been or will be done.
§ Mr. MAXT0NIs the Minister able to tell us what effect the recent increase on Irish goods has had on the collection of the sums due?
§ Mr. HORE-BELISHAI have given the figure for which I was asked, and I shall be only too happy to supply any further figures if my hon. Friend will put down a question.
§ Mr. BUCHANANWill the hon. Gentleman give us the reason why the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs yesterday said that the Government had collected more than the amount of the Annuities outstanding—[HON. MEMBERS: "No !"]. He led the House—[HON. MEMBERS: "No !"] —
§ Mr. MAXTONHe led this part of the House.
§ Mr. BUCHANANSeeing that the sum is considerably less than that which is outstanding by the Annuities, will the Government not reconsider the whole question of dropping this stupid quarrel with Ireland and starting to settle in a much more business-like way, and take it from the Dominions Secretary's hands?
§ Mr. HORE-BELISHAI cannot accept the hon. Member's premises and therefore I cannot accept his conclusions.