HC Deb 08 March 1956 vol 549 cc2304-5
38. Mr. Janner

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that manufacturers of sports footwear in Leicester and elsewhere are disturbed about the large quantities of track and running shoes which are being imported into this country from Germany in consequence of the low duties which prevail on these imports, apart from other factors; and whether he will take immediate steps to inquire into and deal with the position.

Mr. P. Thorneycroft

No, Sir. There are procedures whereby interests concerned can apply for changes in protective duties. I have had no applications in relation to duties on sports footwear.

Mr. Janner

Will not the right hon. Gentleman inquire further into the matter and in particular into subsidised labour in Germany in respect of these shoes, the amount of wages which are being paid and whether young people under the age of those employed here are employed in this industry in Germany? Will he then do something about protecting the industry in Leicester?

Mr. Thorneycroft

If the industry wishes to make an application for an alteration in the tariff it is free to do so. I have no evidence of subsidy in this matter.

39. Mr. Janner

asked the President of the Board of Trade what rates of duty are imposed by Germany on sports footwear imported from Britain into Germany; and what rates of duty are charged on sports footwear imported into this country.

Mr. P. Thorneycroft

As the answer contains a number of separate headings, and is therefore rather long, I will, with permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Mr. Janner

Can the Minister say straightaway whether the duties which are charged upon this type of goods going into Germany are larger than those imposed on similar goods coming into this country, and if so, what he is going to do about it?

Mr. Thorneycroft

If the hon. Gentleman will look at the table he will be able to make his own comparison. Some of the duties are ad valorem and others are specific, so comparison is not easy.

Following is the Answer: The duties levied in Western Germany on sports footwear from all countries are:
  1. (i) On gym shoes with uppers of rubber (tariff No. 6401 C)—25 per cent. ad valorem.
  2. (ii) On gym shoes and tennis shoes with uppers of textiles (tariff No. 6401 F)—17 per cent. ad valorem.
  3. (iii) On special sports footwear (for use in football, hockey, cricket, foot racing or basket ball (tariff No. 6405)—18 per cent. ad valorem.

In the United Kingdom tariff there is no special heading for sports footwear as such and it is chargeable with the duties applicable to footwear generally. The rates which would usually apply to sports types would be:

  1. (1) On footwear wholly or partly of rubber (except where the outer part of the uppers is made of leather or leather and elastic)—8d. to 4s. per pair, according to type and size.
  2. (2) On other footwear for men—15 per cent. ad valorem.
  3. (3) On other footwear for women—3s. per pair or 10 per cent. ad valorem, whichever is the greater.