§ 42. Mr. LYONSasked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury if he will explain the machinery and regulations operating in Dominion countries to check and ascertain the Empire content in goods of foreign origin which claim preferential treatment upon entry into this country?
§ Mr. HORE-BELISHAManufactured goods are only admitted to preference on importation into this country where they are shown to have been consigned from and manufactured in the British Empire. The general conditions to be fulfilled in order to establish claims that goods have been manufactured in the Empire and the evidence required to substantiate such claims are explained in a public leaflet of which I am sending my hon. and learned Friend a copy. The steps taken to test the accuracy of evidence submitted in support of preference claims vary with the particular circumstances, and I do not think that it would be in the public interest to disclose them.
§ Mr. LYONSWhile thanking my hon. Friend for what he has said, may I ask whether in order to prevent a repetition of foreign goods coming into this country on manipulated values and on preferential terms there is any Customs machinery operating here similar to what operates in the Dominions?
§ Mr. HORE-BELISHAWe have our trade commissioners in the Dominions and the steps to which I have referred are taken. If these do not prove adequate, it will be necessary to take other steps.