§ 7. Mr. GRANVILLE GIBSONasked the President of the Board of Trade whether, in view of the fact that the United States of America have increased the duties on imported leathers from 15 per cent. to 30 per cent. ad valorem, he will say whether duties have been increased since 1st April on any other kinds of manufactured goods imported from this country; and, if so, to what extent?
§ Mr. RUNCIMANI understand that by a recent Customs decision certain classes of leather formerly dutiable at lower rates are now regarded as subject to duty at 30 per cent. ad valorem under paragraph 1530 (d) of the United States Tariff. The increase of duty results solely from a change in the interpretation of the tariff, and not from any change in the tariff itself. Such interpretations, which are decided by a judicial procedure and may involve either reductions or increases of duty, are issued frequently, but I have no details of any other such changes since 1st April.
§ Mr. GIBSONIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that this increase of 15 per cent. took place on the very day that the proposed tariff truce was announced; and will he make strong representations that this increase is not consistent with the spirit of the proposed tariff truce?
§ Mr. RUNCIMANI was not aware that it had been announced on that day, but certainly it would be contrary to anything in the nature of a tariff truce to alter the tariff after the truce had been declared.
§ Mr. T. WILLIAMSBut is the right hon. Gentleman not aware that the hon. Member is an ardent supporter of protection and tariffs?