§ 57. Sir A. Hurdasked the President of the Board of Trade by what percentage the overall values of the preferences given by Canada, Australia and New Zealand separately on imports of goods from Britain have been reduced since 1932; and by what percentage the United Kingdom has made reductions in 57W preferences given to Dominion produce marketed here.
§ Mr. GreenI am afraid that there are no figures available which would enable me to give a precise answer to my hon. Friend's Question.
The following information, compiled from unofficial sources, shows the changes in the average margin of preference and in the percentage of imports from Britain enjoying preference, between 1937 and 1948:
— Average margin of preference on goods enjoying preference Per cent. of imports from Britain enjoying preference 1937 Canada … 23 88 Australia … 22 88 —91 N. Zealand … 26 88 —90
— Average margin of preference on goods enjoying preference Per cent. of imports from Britain enjoying preference 1948 Canada … 12 —13 85 —87 Australia … 15 —16 88 —91 N. Zealand … 18 90 —91 Since 1948 both the average margin of preference and the percentage of goods enjoying preference have fallen, but no specific figures are available.
So far as imports into Britain are concerned, it is estimated that in 1937 the average margin of preference on imports from the Commonwealth preference area was between 17 and 20 per cent. and that the proportion of imports enjoying preference was about 60 per cent. In 1957 the figures were 9 per cent. and 47 per cent. respectively.