HC Deb 22 March 1939 vol 345 cc1260-1
59. Captain Arthur Evans

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether the Anglo-Cuban Trade Agreement was negotiated before or after the International Sugar Agreement; when each agreement was ratified by the respective Governments and when they expire; whether the former agreement provides that there shall be no increase in the sugar preference for Dominion or Colonial sugar over Cuban sugar; and what were the advantages gained by Great Britain in return for this undertaking?

The Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Trade (Mr. Cross)

The Anglo-Cuban Commercial Agreement was negotiated before the International Sugar Agreement. The former agreement was signed on 19th February, 1937, and ratifications were exchanged on 10th September, 1938. The agreement remains in force until 31st July next and, if not terminated on that date, will remain in force subject to denunciation on three months' notice. The International Sugar Agreement was signed on 6th May, 1937, and ratified by His Majesty's Government in the United Kingdom on 27th August, 1937. The agreement runs for five years and may be continued thereafter by agreement. The answer to the second part of the question is in the negative, and the third part does not, therefore, arise.

Table showing the total declared value of merchandise imported into and exported from the United Kingdom in trade with Cuba during each of the years 1928 to 1938.
Year. Total Imports consigned from Cuba. Exports consigned to Cuba.
United Kingdom Produce and Manufactures. Imported Merchandise.
£000 £000 £000
1928 … … … … 10,240 1,649 44
1929 … … … … 7,934 2,027 54
1930 … … … … 6,874 1,283 32
1931 … … … … 4,292 656 19
1932 … … … … 5,334 701 23
1933 … … … … 4,280 596 8
1934 … … … … 3,768 919 10
1935 … … … … 3,759 874 18
1936 … … … … 5,249 1,019 14
1937 … … … … 4,520 1,410 18
1938 … … … … 4,963 849 14

Note.—The figures for 1938 are provisional.