HC Deb 26 June 1934 vol 291 cc959-60
33. Mr. DAVID GRENFELL

asked the Financial Secertary to the Treasury whether he will state the present duties per pound on canned apricots, peaches, pears and fruit salads, and the comparative rate in the event of the additional duty under application by the Association of Fruit and Vegetable Canners being imposed; the annual consumption of those goods in this country; the proportion of the total quantity which is grown in Empire and foreign countries; and the total amount payable on the proposed scale of duties if the present consumption of canned fruits is maintained?

Mr. HORE-BELISHA

Canned fruits preserved in syrup, to which it is presumed the question refers, are at present subject to customs duty at the rate of 15 per cent. ad valorem under the Ottawa Agreements Act, 1932, in addition to any sugar duty chargeable on their sugar content. The information asked for in the third and fourth parts of the question is not readily available, but I will send the hon. Member such figures as I can supply. The second and last parts of the question are hypothetical and relate to a matter which is now under the consideration of the Import Duties Advisory Committee. I do not think it desirable that I should give detailed information in such a case.

Mr. GRENFELL

Will the hon. Gentleman inform the House what approximately will be the duty per lb. when the additional duties have been imposed?

Mr. HORE-BELISHA

The hon. Gentleman is asking me what would be the duty per lb. if certain applications were conceded. I am sure that he will appreciate that the applications may not be conceded in the form in which they are submitted, and that therefore to work out those hypothetical figures would be an additional task upon the Department which the hon. Gentleman would not I am sure wish to impose upon them.

Mr. GRENFELL

Will the hon. Gentleman keep in mind that this will be a very heavy additional charge on the poor people who are the consumers of what is to them the only available kind of fruit?

Mr. HORE-BELISHA

The hon. Gentleman is putting a question to me upon certain assumptions which may or may not be fulfilled. If they are fulfilled, perhaps he will put the question down again.

Mr. GRENFELL

With pleasure.