HC Deb 28 February 1955 vol 537 cc229-30W
Mr. Thornton

asked the President of the Board of Trade the value of total imports of cotton yarn and cloth from India, expressed as a percentage of total imports of manufactured goods from India for 1953 and 1954, respectively.

Mr. P. Thorneycroft

Imports of cotton yarn and fabrics from India were 3 per cent. in 1953 and 18 per cent. in 1954 of total imports of manufactures (Class D in the trade statistics).

Mr. Thornton

asked the President of the Board of Trade the value of imports from India for 1953 and 1954, respectively, of cotton yarns and fabrics, jute yarns and fabrics, and all other manufactured goods, respectively.

Mr. P. Thorneycroft

Imports from India were valued as follows:

—— 1953 1954
£ £
Cotton yarns and fabrics 964,656 6,854,583
Jute yarns and fabrics 5,950,027 9,125,788
Other manufactured goods* 22,486,023 22,397,749
* Other goods of Class D in the United Kingdom trade classification; this excludes processed food and fuels and certain semi manufactured materials.

Mr. H. Wilson

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will circulate in the Official Report the provisions in the Anglo-Indian commercial agreement and other trade agreements which limit Her Majesty's Government's ability to impose tariffs or quotas on imports of piece-goods from India and the provisions in those documents relating to dumping.

Mr. P. Thorneycroft

The following provisions of the Trade Agreement of 20th March, 1939, (Cmd. 5966) referArticle 1. His Majesty's Government in the United Kingdom undertake that goods grown, produced or manufactured in India and consigned from any part of the British Empire which are now free of duty shall continue to enjoy entry free of customs duty into the United Kingdom. Article 2. His Majesty's Government in the United Kingdom undertake, in respect of the goods the growth, produce or manufacture of India enumerated in Schedule 1 to this Agreement, that the difference between the rates of the duties of customs on such goods on importation into the United Kingdom when consigned from any part of the British Empire and the rates upon similar goods the growth, produce or manufacture of any foreign country shall not be less than the rates set out in that schedule. Schedule 1. (c) Preferences at a rate of 20 per cent.* ad valorem. Manufactures wholly cotton, the following:— Tissues and like materials. Household goods and similar articles for non-domestic use. Blankets, shawls, coverlets and travelling rugs. Handkerchiefs. In addition Articles I, II, VI, XI, and XIII of the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade are relevant. These are set out in Cmd. 8048. * Subsequently reduced with assent of Indian Government to 17½per cent.