HC Deb 08 May 1934 vol 289 cc908-9
36. Mr. RONALD ROSS

asked the President of the Board of Trade what is the present price per cwt. of Irish Free State butter in the United Kingdom and in the Irish Free State, respectively?

Dr. BURGIN

Owing to the small quantity of butter imported into this country from the Irish Free State during the first three months of this year, quotations have not been recorded on the principal markets.

Mr. ROSS

Is the hon. Gentleman not aware that butter is now being unloaded into the United Kingdom in very large quantities since the embargo was taken off by the Free State Government in April?

Dr. BURGIN

The actual fact is that in the first three months of this year the importation of butter from the Irish Free State amounted to less than one-quarter of 1 per cent. of our imports.

Mr. ROSS

Will the hon. Gentleman say what proportion it amounts to at the present day?

Dr. BURGIN

This is for the first three months of this year, which is about as near as I can get.

Sir P. HARRIS

Is not the Irish Free State a part of the British Empire, not to be treated as a hostile State?

37. Mr. ROSS

asked the President of the Board of Trade the amount of duty per cwt. of butter imported into the United Kingdom from the Irish Free State?

The FINANCIAL SECRETARY to the TREASURY (Mr. Hore-Belisha)

The average amount of duty on butter imported from the Irish Free State at the present time is about 19s. per cwt.

63. Mr. ROSS

asked the Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department what is the amount of duty per hundredweight charged on United Kingdom butter exported to the Irish Free State?

Lieut.-Colonel COLVILLE

The duty payable on United Kingdom butter on importation into the Irish Free State is £3 14s. 8d. per cwt. According to my information, butter imported for use in the manufacture of articles of food mainly for exportation is exempted from payment of this duty, but is subject to a levy proportionate to the export bounty payable on factory butter. Small quantities of Northern Ireland butter enjoy free importation under certain special conditions.

Mr. ROSS

Does not the hon. and gallant Gentleman consider that there should be equality in these matters and, in order that Irish ideas may prevail, would he see that the duty is raised from 19s. to £3 14 s.?

Lieut.-Colonel COLVILLE

That question should be addressed to another Department.