HC Deb 29 June 1936 vol 314 cc9-10
32 and 33. Mr. MORGAN

asked the Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department (1) whether the effects of smuggling in North China have had any effect on the market for British goods in the Yangtze valley;

(2) what classes of goods are at present being smuggled into North China; to what extent goods of the type imported from this country are affected; and whether, in view of the success hitherto attending the efforts of the smugglers, he anticipates an increase of smuggled goods of Japanese origin of the kind usually imported from Great Britain?

The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the BOARD of TRADE (Dr. Burgin)

I understand that the principal categories of goods now being smuggled into North China are rayon yarn, sugar and kerosene, which are not imported in large quantities from the United Kingdom. The issue raised in the last part of Question No. 33 is somewhat hypothetical; but there can be little doubt that the smuggling, if allowed to continue, will have increasingly prejudicial consequences for legitimate trade of all kinds.

11 and 12. Mr. MORGAN

(for Mr. CHORLTON) asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs (1) the amount of the drop in Customs revenue at the port of Tientsin during the present year owing to the loss of duty on goods smuggled into China in that area;

(2) the amount by which the Chinese Customs revenue, upon which British loans are secured, was diminished in the first five months of this year by loss of duty on goods smuggled into North China, and the proportion of such loss to the total revenue of the Chinese Customs for the period?

Viscount CRANBORNE

I am unable to give the exact figures for which my hon. Friend has asked. It has, however, been estimated that the goods smuggled in a recent period of three weeks would have been liable for duty at a rate of 2,000,000 Chinese dollars a week. This figure does not, however, necessarily represent the actual loss. Against it would have to be set off the extent to which the smuggled goods represent imports additional to the normal owing to their lower price.