25.
asked the President of the Board of Trade what are the figures for the imports into Germany through the port of Hamburg of chocolates and other sweets, and what are the figures for the corresponding exports from the port of Hamburg for the years 1926, 1927, 1929, and 1930, respectively; what are the German tariff duties on such imports into Germany; and is he aware that, to avoid the import duties, two British confectionery firms have recently set up factories in Hamburg consular district?
As the answer to the first two parts of the question contains a table of figures, I propose, with the permission of the hon. Member, to circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT. The answer to the last part of the question is in the affirmative.
Following is the table:
| (B) Exports | ||||||||
| Article. | 1926. | 1927. | 1929. | 1930. Jan.-Sept. | ||||
| Cwt. | £'000. | Cwt. | £'000. | Cwt. | £'000. | Cwt. | £'000. | |
| Sweetmeats and other sugar goods. | 10,330 | 64 | 13,283 | 80 | 19,097 | 123 | 11,684 | 77 |
| Non-baked articles mixed with sugar, such as articles of basorin or tragacanth gum mixed with sugar: kernels of fruit, spices, chestnuts, kitchen vegetables, nuts, fruits, seeds, southern fruit peels, southern fruits and other plants or parts of plants coated with sugar (candied, iced). | 2,813 | 22 | 2,732 | 22 | 4,460 | 28 | 2,222 | 14 |
| Chocolate and chocolate substitutes. | 13,663 | 100 | 16,651 | 134 | 22,062 | 164 | 14,041 | 99 |
| Articles of chocolate and chocolate substitutes, cocoa-wares, even mixed with spices or medicinal substances or the like. | 6,889 | 70 | 11,854 | 114 | 13,751 | 128 | 7,779 | 68 |
| The present rates of German Customs duties are as follows:— | ||
| ex. No. 202. | Sweetmeats and other unspecified sugar goods, including unbaked articles mixed with sugar, e.g., articles of basorin and gum tragacanth | 100 Rm. per 100 Kgs. (5.35d. per lb.) |
| ex. No. 204. | Chocolate, including milk chocolate, whether with or without spices, medicaments or the like; also wares wholly of chocolate, and chocolate with fruit kernels, ginger or raisins | 115 Rm. per 100 Kgs. (6.15d. per lb.) |
| Other wares of chocolate | 140 Rm. per 100 Kgs. (7.5d. per lb.) | |