HC Deb 24 February 1938 vol 332 cc565-6W
Mr. Denville

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been called to the imposition by the United States customs of countervailing duties on British refined sugar exported to that country amounting to approximately 6d. per cwt. in the case of fully refined sugar made from full duty raws; and whether bounties on export equivalent to the amounts of the countervailing duties are actually given?

Mr. R. S. Hudson

Yes, Sir. As regards the second part of the question, no bounty is paid on British refined sugar exported, but drawback is paid on such sugar at rates which on the average do no more, in the view of His Majesty's Government, than give effect to the principle that the refiner should be recouped for expenses involved in the payment of duty on his raw material. The United States authorities, however, hold that under the terms of their law these rates include an element of bounty.