HC Deb 10 December 1947 vol 445 c203W
80. Mr. Skinnard

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what action is being taken to protect the Singapore tin-smelting industry from the effects of the Geneva tariff agreement, under which Singapore will be required to pay heavy duties on tin imported from the Malayan Union.

Mr. Rees-Williams

So long as the duties on tin in ore and smelted tin exported from the Malayan Union are the same, the smelter at Singapore will not suffer any disability compared with the smelters within the Malayan Union by reason of the Geneva Tariff Agreement. That agreement, however, reserves the right of the Malayan Union Government to charge a higher duty on tin in ore than on smelted tin in certain circumstances. If that Government desire to exercise that right, it would no doubt discuss the position with the Singapore Government before taking action.

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