Sir J. D. REESasked the Secretary for the Colonies whether preferential duties on produce exported from mandated territories can be granted before the League of Nations has issued such Mandates; and whether coffee, for example, exported from Tanganyika is to pay foreign rates until this formality has been observed?
Mr. WOODSection 8, Sub-section (1), of the Finance Act, 1919, provides that His Majesty may by Order in Council direct that any territory, in respect of which a Mandate of the League of Nations is exercised by the Government of any part of His Majesty's Dominions, may be included within the definition of the British Empire for the purpose of conferring preference in the case of Empire products. The League of Nations have not yet issued the Tropical African Mandates, and the necessary Order in Council is consequently postponed. It is not practicable to extend Empire preference to the territories concerned in anticipation of the Order in Council.