§ 22. Mr. Vaughan-Morganasked the President of the Board of Trade what representations have been made to the United States Government regarding the United States Treasury decision. T.D.53476, published 22nd April, 1954, which instructs collectors of customs to assess and collect additional duties on certain manufactures of silk equal to the net amount of the bounty or grant alleged to be paid or bestowed by Her Majesty's Government.
Mr. AmoryThe application of these duties is mandatory on the United States Administration under the United States Tariff Act, 1930. Her Majesty's Government were consulted on the calculations involved. The United States Treasury review periodically the scale of additional duties payable and the instruction referred to brings these additional duties into line with current drawback rates in the United Kingdom.
§ Mr. Vaughan-MorganDoes not my right hon. Friend think that this would 218 be a suitable occasion to remind the United States Government that they themselves are indulging in the practice of subsidising certain of their exports, such as citrus fruit?
Mr. AmoryI think the position with regard to citrus fruit is quite well known between ourselves and the United States, but, as I mentioned in my answer, these additional duties are mandatory on the United States Administration in accord-dance with their law.
§ Sir H. WilliamsHaving regard to the fact that the United States are the real authors of G.A.T.T., why do they not obey the G.A.T.T. they invented?