HC Deb 10 July 1933 vol 280 cc738-40
27. Mr. HERBERT WILLIAMS

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will publish the terms of the notice to the Secretary-General of the League of Nations in respect of the International Convention for the Abolition of Import and Export Prohibitions and Restrictions?

Sir J. SIMON

I have been asked to reply. I will, with my hon. Friend's permission, circulate in the OFFICIAL REPORT the text of the letter which was addressed to the Secretary-General on the 2nd June last.

Following is the text: I am directed by Secretary Sir John Simon to inform you that His Majesty's Government in the United Kingdom have had under consideration the question of their continued adherence to the Convention for the Abolition of Import and Export Prohibitions and Restrictions which was signed at Geneva on the 8th November, 1927, with special regard to the impending consideration of the whole question of import restrictions, quotas and similar measures by the Monetary and Economic Conference. Having regard in particular to the small number of countries now parties to the Convention, His Majesty's Government would only have felt justified in continued adher- ence had it appeared either that the Convention would be likely to serve as a model for agreements on the subject to which the majority of countries of economic importance might subsequently adhere, or that in fact the Convention had resulted in an appreciable reduction and alleviation of existing prohibitions and restrictions generally, or in preventing the imposition of new ones. In fact, however, experience has shown that the Convention has not fulfilled, and is unlikely to fulfil, either of these objects. In the circumstances therefore His Majesty's Government have deemed it advisable to avail themselves of their right under Article 6 of the Protocol, signed at Paris on the 20th December, 1929, to be relieved of the obligations accepted by them in accordance with the Convention as from the 30th June in order that they may be free to enter into any agreements bearing upon the question of prohibitions, quotas and similar restrictions which may ensue from the Monetary and Economic Conference; and I accordingly enclose a formal declaration of withdrawal as provided for in Article 6 of the above-mentioned Protocol which I request you will consider as being delivered to you on the 30th June, 1933.

Enclosure.

In accordance with the provisions of Article 6 of the Protocol signed at Paris on the 20th December, 1929, concerning the entry into force of the International Con

Average price per cwt. (live weight) of fat cattle in June, 1932, and June, 1933, in (a) England and Wales and (b) Scotland.
— June, 1932. June, 1933.
(a) England and Wales. s. d. s. d.
Fat Cattle (Shorthorn, steers and heifers):
1st quality … … … 49 3 39 6
2nd quality … … … 43 9 35 1
Fat Cows:
1st quality … … … 34 9 27 7
2nd quality … … … 27 1 20 4
(b) Scotland.
Fat Cattle (Aberdeen Angus)
1st quality … … … 54 11 45 8
2nd quality … … … 49 - 41 -
Cross-bred (Shorthorn):
1st quality … … … 51 5 42 2
2nd quality … … … 46 4 38 2
19. Mr. KIMBALL

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is aware that the present market price of fat cattle in the Midlands is from 17s. to 35s. per live hundredweight and that this price represents a loss to the producers; and will he state what further action he intends to take in this matter?

Major ELLIOT

I am aware that prices of fat cattle have been running at un-remunerative levels and that this repre- vention signed at Geneva on the 8th November, 1927, for the Abolition of Import and Export Prohibitions and Restrictions and of the Supplementary Agreement to the said Convention signed at Geneva on the 11th July, 1928, I am directed by Secretary Sir John Simon to forward to you this declaration whereby His Majesty's Government in the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland exercise the right accorded by the said Article to relieve the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland of the obligations accepted by them by virtue of the said Protocol of the 20th December, 1929."

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