§ 2.42 p.m.
§ LORD BARNBYMy Lords, I beg leave to ask the Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.
§ [The Question was as follows:
§ To ask Her Majesty's Government with regard to trade with Eire whether they will state the respective values of the two-way trade in classes of manufactures which into Eire from the United Kingdom attract import duties, and which in reverse, if exported to the United Kingdom, presumably attract no duty.]
457EARL WALDEGRAVEMy Lords, I regret that precise information is not available in the form requested. However, the published trade statistics of the Irish Republic show that, in the year 1961, the Irish Republic imported from the United Kingdom goods classified as "other raw materials and manufactured goods" to a value of about £106 million. The Irish Republic exported to the United Kingdom goods in this class to a value of some £30 million. In the year ended April 30, 1962, the value of British exports so classified which were nominally liable to duty under the tariff of the Irish Republic was about £63 million. In practice, a substantial pan of these goods entered the Irish Republic free of duty. This comprised some £14 million of goods exempted under various statutory provisions, and in addition a considerable volume of imports, to a value that cannot readily be ascertained, Which were admitted free of duty under licence. Some of these descriptions of goods, such as vehicles, clocks and watches, and articles containing man-made fibres, attract duty if imported into the United Kingdom from the Irish Republic.