§ Mr. COCKSasked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs whether he can make a statement on the present position of the Irish annuities and other matters in dispute between His Majesty's Government and the Government of the Irish Free State?
Mr. THOMASI have nothing to add to the statement which I made to the House on 18th October, except that the White Paper containing the documents mentioned in that statement will be published on Saturday.
§ Colonel WEDGWOODasked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs whether there are any further developments in the Irish situation; and whether he will take steps to meet the shortage in the receipts from the special import duties on Irish goods by including other articles, such as beer and biscuits, in the Schedule?
Mr. THOMASAs regards the first part of the question, I would refer to the reply which I have given to-day to the hon. Member for Broxtowe (Mr. Cocks). As regards the second part of the question, the duties under the Import Duties Act will, as I informed the House yesterday, come into operation in respect to Irish Free State goods on 15th November. The effect will be that on and after 15th November Irish Free State goods will be subject (1) to the special duties under the Special Duties Act; (2) to the 10 per cent. general ad valorem duties under the Import Duties Act; (3) to all existing additional duties imposed under the Import 1171W Duties Act; (4) to all additional duties which may in future be imposed under the Import Duties Act. They will not, however, be liable to the duties imposed under the Ottawa Agreements Bill.