HC Deb 22 July 1929 vol 230 cc916-7W
Mr. HANNON

asked the President of the Board of Trade, for the latest year for which the statistics are available, the value of the imports of United Kingdom goods into each Dominion in respect of which preferential rates of duty were charged; and what was the aggregate reduction of duty in the case of each Dominion resulting from the duties being charged at the preferential rate instead of at the full rate?

Mr. W. R. SMITH

The year 1925 is the latest for which complete particulars have been estimated. The approximate value of the imports from the United Kingdom of goods subject to preference and the aggregate amount of the rebate on the duties chargeable on like imports from foreign countries are as follow:

Dominion. Approximate value of Imports from the United Kingdom which were subject to Preference. Aggregate amount of Preferential Rebate.
£ £
Dominion of Canada 23,150,000 2,470,000
Commonwealth of Australia. 63,850,000 7,800,000
Dominion of New Zealand. 20,600,000 2,860,000
Union of South Africa. 8,850,000 375,000

The amount shown above for the preferential rebates granted by the Union of South Africa is calculated on the basis of the new tariff brought into force in August, 1925. The actual rebates accorded during the year 1925 amounted to £643,000. The total value of the imports affected cannot be stated.

The following partial particulars relating to more recent dates may be of interest:

Dominion and period. Value of Imports from the United Kingdom which were subject to Preference. Aggregate amount of Preferential Rebate.
£ £
Dominion of Canada (Year ended March, 1928). 22,970,000 *
Commonwealth of Australia (Year ended June, 1927). 62,710,000 8,480,000
Dominion of New-Zealand (Year, 1926). 18,530,000 *
Union of South Africa (Year, 1928). * 415,000
* These particulars are not available, and corresponding particulars for the Irish Free State have not been published.