§ 18. Mr. MABANEasked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs whether special import duties to compensate for exchange depreciation are levied by Canada now on imports from France or were so levied at any time since 1918?
Mr. J. H. THOMASFrench currency is not depreciated in relation to the Canadian dollar and no question therefore arises of dumping duty to compensate for depreciation. I understand that no such duty has in fact been imposed at any time since 1918 on account of exchange fluctuation.
§ 19. Mr. MABANEasked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs if he will inquire from the Dominion Government whether the removal of the special duties to compensate for exchange depreciation levied by Canada on imports from this country is to be conditioned by the 170 financial exigencies of Canada or by the fact that the exchange value of the pound sterling is no longer in fact depreciated?
Mr. THOMASThe undertaking of His Majesty's Government in Canada as to the reduction and ultimate abolition of exchange dumping duty is set out in the second part of Article 17 of the agreement made with Canada at the Ottawa Conference; and there would not therefore appear to be any ground for the suggested inquiry.
§ Mr. MABANEDo I understand that, although the pound sterling has achieved a new parity, and is stable at that parity, yet it will continue to be treated as depreciated currency and differently from other currencies that have altered their gold content but are similarly stable?
§ Mr. MABANEMay I ask for an answer to my question?