PORTUGAL (FLAG DISCRIMINATION). (Hansard, 11 December 1931)

§ Mr. GIBSON
asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, in view of his expressed intention to take notice of the discrimination against our trade by foreign countries and in view of the preferential customs duty granted by the Portuguese Government on goods shipped in Portuguese steamers, which makes it impossible for British shipowners to compete for the carriage of cargo under equal conditions, he will inform the Portuguese Government that, unless this flag discrimination practised by them immediately ceases, he will take steps to increase the duties on all goods entering this country from Portugal.

§ Mr. RUNCIMAN
I am asking my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for

— Cotton Yarns. Cotton Piece Goods. Other Cotton Manufactures.

Empire. Foreign Countries Empire. Foreign Countries Empire. Foreign Countries.

£ £ £ £ £ £

Australia (1929–30) 572,429 367,180 6,299,690 774,201 578,100 50,587

Canada (1930) 136,004 80,135 1,416,218 2,261,012 278,476 696,285

^*Irish Free State (1930) 42,455 — 1,080,362 — 448,363 —

Newfoundland (1929–30) 2,446 40,145 29,054 67,749 26,776 73,455

New Zealand (1930) † † 1,655,600 217,013 19,647 460

‡Union of South Africa (1930). 66,661 52,627 2,236,461 1,264,478 380,934 236,335

South West Africa (1930) 354 2,230 8,511 45,818 3,481 8,276

^* Details as to countries of origin are not available. A note is given in the Irish Free State Statistics that the principal country from which the imports were consigned was the United Kingdom. There were no consignments of any importance from foreign countries.

† The Trade Returns show values of the combined imports of cotton and silk yarns and sewing, &c, threads. Figures for cotton goods of these classes are therefore not given.

‡ The figures for the Union of South Africa include those for Basutoland, Bechuanaland Protectorate and Swaziland.

§ Mr. ENTWISTLE
asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what were the figures of imports for 1930 into each of our Colonies of cotton yarns, piece-goods, and other cotton manufac-
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Foreign Affairs to make suitable representations to the Portuguese Government.

—	Cotton Yarns.	Cotton Piece Goods.	Other Cotton Manufactures.
	Empire.	Foreign Countries	Empire.	Foreign Countries	Empire.	Foreign Countries.
	£	£	£	£	£	£
Australia (1929–30)	572,429	367,180	6,299,690	774,201	578,100	50,587
Canada (1930)	136,004	80,135	1,416,218	2,261,012	278,476	696,285
^*Irish Free State (1930)	42,455	—	1,080,362	—	448,363	—
Newfoundland (1929–30)	2,446	40,145	29,054	67,749	26,776	73,455
New Zealand (1930)	†	†	1,655,600	217,013	19,647	460
‡Union of South Africa (1930).	66,661	52,627	2,236,461	1,264,478	380,934	236,335
South West Africa (1930)	354	2,230	8,511	45,818	3,481	8,276
^* Details as to countries of origin are not available. A note is given in the Irish Free State Statistics that the principal country from which the imports were consigned was the United Kingdom. There were no consignments of any importance from foreign countries.
† The Trade Returns show values of the combined imports of cotton and silk yarns and sewing, &c, threads. Figures for cotton goods of these classes are therefore not given.
‡ The figures for the Union of South Africa include those for Basutoland, Bechuanaland Protectorate and Swaziland.