HC Deb 05 July 1933 vol 280 cc333-6W
Sir R. GOWER

asked the President of the Board of Trade if the existing agreement between Timber Distributors, Limited, and the Russian timber-selling organisations for the importation of Russian timber into this country was entered into with the prior knowledge of his Department; whether any representations were made by him or on his behalf to Timber Distributors, Limited, or other body, with regard to the matter

Class of Timber. Russian timber imported from the Soviet Union. Russian timber imported from the countries other than the Soviet Union. Sawn, planed and dressed timber produced from Russian material in other countries.
No. of Licences. Approx. value. £ No. of Licences. Approx value. £ No. of Licences. Approx value £
Sawn, planed or dressed timber. — — 2 148 57 78,723
Sleepers and sleeper blocks 2 13,963 3 5,742 — —
Pulp wood 10 22,851 — — — —
Staves — — 5 7,395 — —
Plywood 9 26,882 3 886 — —

The timber licensed for importation from the Soviet Union, with the exception of certain plywood, had been substantially or wholly paid for before the proclamation under the Russian Goods (Import Prohibition) Act was issued; in the case of the plywood, payment had not actually been made, but the United King-

prior to the completion of such agreement; whether it is his intention to grant permits for the importation of any portion of the timber the subject matter of such contracts; and whether he has any statement to make with regard to the matter?

Lieut.-Colonel COLVILLE

Certain discussions took place between representatives of the Board of Trade and Timber Distributors, Limited, before this contract was completed, in the course of which the company were made fully aware of the position under Article 21 of the United Kingdom-Canadian Ottawa Agreement. The question of the issue of licences does not now arise.

Sir R. GOWER

asked the President of the Board of Trade what licences and in respect of what quantities licences have been issued by his Department for the importation of Russian timber into this country during the past two months; what were the reasons in each case for the granting of such licences, respectively; and whether timber of similar character or utility as the Russian, the subject of such licences, could not be obtained from British sources

Lieut.-Colonel COLVILLE

Particulars of the licences issued in respect of timber up to 30th June, 1933, are contained in the following statement:

dom importer would have been liable to pay whether the goods had been licensed or not. The Russian timber imported from other countries had in all cases passed out of Soviet ownership before the proclamation, and except in one instance the goods were owned, and had been paid for before the proclamation, by United Kingdom traders. In that one case, the goods had been paid for before the proclamation by a foreign (non-Russian) firm and serious hardship would have been incurred by United Kingdom interests if a licence had been refused. As regards sawn, planed and dressed timber produced from Russian material in other countries, I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply given on 18th May to the hon. Member for Carmarthen (Mr. R. T. Evans). In reply to the last part of the question, I would remind my hon.

List of issues of the "Board of Trade Journal" which contain particulars of Increases made in the French duties since September, 1931.
"Board of Trade Journal" of— Subject of Notice.
1931.
October 15 Sisal products: Special tax imposed. Hops: Customs Duty increased.
November 19 Rubber goods: Special tax imposed.
November 19 Exchange compensation surtax applied to goods from the United Kingdom and certain other countries.*
December 3 Footwear: Customs Duties increased.
1932.
January 21 Bananas: Special tax imposed.
January 21 Porcelain: Customs Duties increased.
February 18 Rubber footwear, leggings, etc.: Proposed modified Customs Duties.
March 3 Certain cereal products: Proposed increased Customs Duties.
March 10 Certain cork wares: Duties increased.
April 7 Rubber footware, leggings, etc.: Proposed Duties approved.
April 7 Budget Law: Surtaxes on Mineral Oils and Residues imported indirectly and increase of import tax and luxury tax.
April 14 Timber: Customs Duties increased.
April 21 Pineapples: Proposed special tax.
April 28 Mineral oils: Modified Customs and Consumption Duties.
April 28 Elastic wares: Customs Duties modified.
May 5 Dried plume and prunes: Customs Duties increased.
May 5 Pineapples: Special tax imposed.
July 21 Certain meat products: Customs Duties increased.
July 28 and August 4 Horses, mules, etc., floss silk waste, salt, leather polishes, trimmings of wool or cotton, metal wire, umbrellas, etc.: Customs Duties modified.
August 11 Mussels: Duty imposed.
September 22 Certain cereals and cork: Customs Duties increased.
October 6 Butter: Customs Duties increased.,
December 1 Certain bread and gluten: Customs Duties increased.
December 1 Certain timber: Customs Duties increased.
December 8 Malt: Customs Duties modified.
December 22 Spiced bread: Customs Duty increased.
1933
February 2 Potatoes and potato feculæ: Customs Duties increased.
February 23 Butter: Customs Duty increased.
March 30 Certain hate: Customs Duties increased.
April 13 Coffee: Licence tax imposed.
April 27 Malt, Mineral oils, absorbent cotton, varnishes, etc.: Import tax modified.
April 27 Iodine: Customs Duties increased.
May 4 Port and Madeira wines: Customs Duties increased.
May 18 Coal, coal bricks, lignite briquettes and coke: Licence tax imposed.
May 18 Agricultural products, etc.: Licence tax imposed.
* Certain articles were subsequently exempted from this surtax-see the "B.T.J." of 10/12/31; 7 1/32; 14/1/32; 25/2/32; 31/3/32; 21/4/32 16/6/32 24/11/32; 9/8/33; 11/5/33; 18/5/33.
Proposals are now under consideration for the increase of the duties on certain acids and crustaces, ("B.T.J." of 23rd March, 1933); various chemicals, wax, linoleum, paper wares, leather goods machines and metal goods, etc., etc. ("B.T.J." of 30th March, 1933); certain oilseeds, oils and fats, soap, etc. ("B.T.J." of let and 22nd June, 1933); and tea ("B.T.J." of 22nd June, 1933).

Friend of the purpose for which the prohibition was imposed.