HC Deb 24 February 1938 vol 332 cc553-4
96. Mr. Perkins

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will draw the Danish Government's attention to the severe handicap to the export of British goods to Denmark caused by the unfair operation of the Danish Valuta Control, which has caused the restriction in the import of British products for which there is a demand in Denmark, as shown by the letter to the President of the Board

The following table shows the quantity and declared value of the exports of cotton piece goods from the United Kingdom to the undermentioned countries during the years 1936 and 1937.
Countries to which consigned. 1936. 1937.
Quantity. Declared Value. Quantity. Declared Value.
Thousand Thousand
British West Africa— sq. yds. £ sq. yds. £
Nigeria (including Cameroons under British mandate). 132,680 2,729,712 116,836 2,816,506
Gold Coast (including Togoland under British mandate). 45,660 1,062,313 43,477 1,199,455
Sierra Leone 12,829 266,781 11,510 257,112
Gambia 7,629 152,958 6,200 149,031
French West and Equatorial Africa 41,580 904,739 31,642 758,730
Portuguese West Africa 1,962 48,293 2,108 64,856

Note.—The figures for 1937 are provisional

of Trade from Messrs. Pedershaab Machine Works of Bronderslev; and, having regard to the inequitable trade balance between Denmark and this country in favour of Denmark, will he ensure that the necessary action is taken to correct the irregularity complained of?

Mr. R. S. Hudson (Secretary, Overseas Trade Department)

I am informed that the particular case referred to by my hon. Friend has been satisfactorily settled. As regards the general aspect of the question, certain trade matters are at present the subject of discussion with the competent Danish authorities.