§ Mr. HAMMERSLEYasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that certain manufactured cotton goods exported to the United States are, in addition to a duty of 62½ per cent. subjected to three additional surcharges, namely, 25 per cent. added to the invoice value, 10 cents per pound for length of staple of cotton, and 6 to 10 cents per dozen compensation tax; whether it is appreciated that these penal taxes constitute a complete embargo on the exportation of these goods to this market; whether he has made protests to the authorities in the United States on the matter; and, if so, what is the nature of their reply?
§ Mr. RUNCIMANThe answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. As regards the second part, I am aware of the difficulties created by the charges which are levied on the importation of the goods in question into the United States. As regards the third and fourth parts, I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply given to the hon. Member for Westhoughton (Mr. Rhys Davies) on 22nd May, of which I am sending him a copy.