§ Mr. Parkerasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what is the nature, amount and purpose of the new quotas imposed in the Gold Coast and Nigeria on certain goods from all foreign countries; what is the reason for this new departure; and what is the estimated effect on the cost of living of the native population?
§ Mr. Ormsby-GoreThe quotas relate to piece goods of cotton and artificial silk. Imports of these goods from Japan into Nigeria and the Gold Coast have been subject to quota since May, 1934. Following on the denunciation by the French Government of part of the Anglo-French Convention of 1898, the imports of all such piece goods into the Gold Coast and of all such foreign piece goods into Nigeria have been regulated by quota since the 1st January last. The object of this step was to protect the old-established suppliers of this market, foreign as well as British, against disturbance by excessive imports of goods from new sources. With the object of avoiding undue dislocation of trade the quotas have been fixed at a figure equal to the rate of imports during 1935, increased by 5o per cent. It is not anticipated that these quotas will increase the cost of living in any way.