HC Deb 06 July 1931 vol 254 cc1738-40W
Sir G. RENTOUL

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will furnish a list of the European countries which impose duties on British-caught fish entering their ports; what is the amount of such duties in each case; and whether there have been any alterations in these duties during the past three years?

1329. Mr. GILLETT

The following statement shows, according to the information available in the Department of Overseas Trade, the provisions in the customs tariffs of certain European countries applicable to fish landed by United Kingdom trawlers. The countries chosen are those in which it is understood that United Kingdom trawlers are likely to be interested. The statement indicates the changes in the tariffs made during the last few years. It is understood that, in France and Spain, fish landed from French or Spanish trawlers, respectively, is exempt from duty, but the information available in the Department does not enable me to state what the position is in this respect in the other countries included in the statement which normally impose duties on imported fish, namely Belgium and Portugal.

STATEMENT showing, according to the information available in the Department of Overseas Trade, the provisions in the Customs Tariffs of various European countries applicable to fish landed in those countries by British trawlers during recent years.

BELGIUM.

Tariff Item No. 6.

Fish, Crustacea and molluscs, living, fresh or frozen:

  1. (a) herrings—free of duty.
  2. (b) lobsters and crayfish—400 francs per 100 kgs.
  3. (c) oysters:
    1. (1) so-called "Portgaises "—50 francs per 100 kgs.
    2. (2) Other—300 francs per 100 kgs.
  4. (d) seed oysters—free of duty.
  5. (e) shellfish—free of duty.
  6. (f) other—free of duty.

Notes

(1) No changes have been made in the rates of duty collected under this heading of the Tariff during the past three years.

(2) A transmission tax of 1 per cent. of the duty paid value is imposed on all fish, etc., included under Tariff item No. 6. Prior to 1st January, 1930, this tax was at the rate of 2 per cent. of the duty paid value.

DENMAKE.

Fresh fish is free of duty.

This exemption has been operative for several years.

The present Customs Tariff has been in operation since 1924.

FRANCE.

January, 1928.

Salt water fish of foreign taking—34 francs per 100 kgs.

Note.—A turnover tax of 2 per cent. of the duty paid value was also imposed.

th February, 1931.

Products of foreign fisheries:

Fresh and frozen sea-water fish of the following kinds, viz.: brill, bars, sturgeon, mullet, red gurnet, sole, surmullet and turbot—100 francs per 100 kgs.

Other fresh and frozen sea-water fish—34 francs per 100 kgs.

Note.—A turnover tax of 2 per cent. of the duty paid value is also imposed.

GERMANY.

No import duty is levied on fresh sea-water fish.

This position has existed since 25th December, 1902.

NETHERLANDS.

No duty is imposed on fresh fish under the existing Customs Tariff which has been in force since 1st July, 1925.

NORWAY.

Fresh fish is free of duty under the Customs Tariff which came into force on the 11th July, 1927.

PORTUGAL.

Tariff Item, 593.

Dried cod (bacalau)—0.02 escudos per kilog.

Tariff Item

Fish, not specially mentioned, fresh, without any preparation, or only with the salt indispensable for its preparation—0.01 escudos per kilog.

Notes

(1) Duties are quoted in gold escudos (i.e., 4½ escudos to the £ sterling).

(2) The above rate on dried cod became effective on 6th May, 1930. Between 6th January, 1930, and 5th May, 1930, the rate was 0.015 escudos per kilogram. The rate on fish not specially mentioned became effective on the 6th January, 1930.

(3) Prior to 1930 the following rates of duty were in operation:

No. 486. Cod:

  1. (a) Fresh in brine or simply salted—0.005 escudos per kg.
  2. (b) dried—0.01 escudos per kg.

No. 488: Fish, not specially mentioned:

Fresh, without any preparation, or only with the salt indispensable for its preservation—0.002 escudos per kg.

(4) The above duties were also quoted in gold escudos.

(5) Surtaxes amounting to 2½ per cent. ad valorem were levied for several years prior to 1930. These were abolished on the promulgation of the Tariff of 6th January, 1930.

SPAIN.

Tariff Item

Fish, fresh or with salt indispensable for its preservation—20 gold pesetas per 100 kgs.

Note.—No change has been made in the above rate of duty during the past three years.

SWEDEN.

Fresh fish is free of duty. The Customs Tariff at present in force has been effective since the 15th January, 1930. Under the Customs tariff previously in operation, fresh fish was also free of duty.

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