HC Deb 06 February 1934 vol 285 cc940-1
8. Sir JOHN WARDLAW-MILNE

asked the President of the Board of Trade what the conditions are now in connection with the imports of carpets into Denmark; to what extent licences are now issued as compared with 1931 imports; and whether there has been any change in the quota granted by Denmark to Germany in the imports of carpets?

Mr. RUNCIMAN

As regards the first two parts of this question, I understand that import licences are issued to individual importers by the Danish authorities for quantities up to 45 per cent. of the Danish imports in 1931 from all sources. As regards the last part of the question, information on this subject is not published by the Danish authorities.

Sir J. WARDLAW-MILNE

May I ask my right hon. Friend if it is not a fact that there has recently been some suggestion, if not actual action, to reduce the percentage from 45 in 1931 to some lower figure; and is it not also the case that recently the Danish Government increased the German quota—a rather surprising fact—in view of the trade balance between Denmark and Germany and between Denmark and this country?

Mr. RUNCIMAN

I have heard some suggestion of that sort, but at the present moment we have no reason to complain of the treatment we have received from the Danish Government.

Mr. H. WILLIAMS

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether, in accordance with our old Commercial Treaty with Denmark, our goods are not entitled to be free of quota restrictions?

Mr. RUNCIMAN

Yes, Sir. It is in accordance also with the trade agree-

The following table shows the total quantity and declared value of the undermentioned descriptions of carpets, etc., imported into the United Kingdom and consigned from British India during each of the past four years.
Year. Carpets, carpeting and rugs of wool (including carpets and rugs on a wool or jute basis). Jute carpets and rugs.
Quantity. Declared value. Quantity. Declared value.
Sq. yards. £ Sq. yards. £
1930 … … … 668,377 394,347 10,866 3,252
1931 … … … 760,507 395,955 36,796 3,527
1932 … … … 1,073,200 384,669 1,496 106
1933 … … … 1,277,681 372,275 1,573 120
Note.—The figures for 1933 are provisional.