GENERAL TEXTILE DUTIES (FOREIGN COUNTRIES).
( Pursuant to promise, in reply to Question by Colonel England, Official Report 9th February, 1926, col. 818), supplied the following information
The hon. and gallant Member has been good enough to inform me, in response to my Answer to his Question on 9th February, that it will meet his wishes if I give him particulars respecting the increases made, since the beginning of 1925, in the import duties of the twenty principal foreign markets for woollen and cotton piece goods exported from this country. The Customs Tariffs of those markets have accordingly been examined and the position as regards the duties on ordinary piece goods (not including such articles as velvet, lace, net, carpets, shawls, and made-up goods in general), is shown in the following paragraphs:
(1) COTTON PIECE GOODS.
(a) EUROPEAN MARKETS.
In Sweden, Denmark, Belgium, Switzerland, Greece and Turkey there has been no change of Customs duties, though a consumption duty was imposed on cotton goods in Turkey in March, 1925, mostly at one-fifth of the rates of Customs duty. In Germany and the Netherlands the duties on cotton piece goods generally were increased by the Tariff revisions which came into operation on the 1st October, 1925, and the 1st July, 1925, respectively. Particulars of these increases follow:
( b ) ASIATIC MARKETS.
In China a temporary surtax (for famine relief purposes) was imposed on all dutiable goods as from the 1st November last, the surtax being equal to one-tenth of the ordinary Customs duty. In Japan the duties on ordinary cotton piece goods were increased in March, 1925, owing to the lapse in that month of the Schedule to the Anglo-Japanese Commercial Treaty of 1911. Particulars of the increases of duties in Japan are here given.
In the Dutch East Indies, the other important Asiatic market, no Tariff changes have been made.
( c ) MARKETS IN AFRICA.
No changes have been made in Egypt, Morocco or French West Africa, the three most important African markets for cotton piece goods.
( d ) AMERICAN MARKETS.
No changes have been made in the Customs duties on cotton piece goods imported into the United States, Argentine Republic, Brazil, Chile, Colombia or Venezuela, but the Consular fee on shipments of all goods to Chile was increased from 1½ to 2 per cent. ad valorem towards the end of 1935.
(2) WOOLLEN AND WORSTED GOODS.
( a ) EUROPEAN MARKETS.
No changes have been made in the Customs duties on woollen and worsted piece goods in Sweden, Belgium, France, Switzerland, Italy, Greece or Roumania. In Austria, the Netherlands and Germany the duties on most classes of woollen and worsted piece goods were increased by the Tariff revisions which came into operation on the 1st January, 1925, the 1st July, 1925, and the 1st October, 1925, respectively, and particulars of these Tariff changes are now supplied. In Denmark the duties on woollen cloths weighing over 300 grammes per square metre and containing 3 per cent. or less of silk were slightly increased as from the 1st January, 1925. In Turkey no change has been made in the Customs duty, but a consumption duty on woollen and worsted piece goods (equal to one-fifth of the Customs duties) was imposed in March, 1925.
( ) ASIATIC MARKETS.
In China a temporary surtax (for famine relief purposes) was imposed on all dutiable goods as from the 1st November last, the surtax being equal to one-tenth of the ordinary Customs duty. In Japan the duties on some classes of woollen and worsted piece goods were increased in March, 1925, owing to the lapse in that month of the Schedule to the Anglo-Japanese Commercial Treaty of 1911. Particulars of the increases of duties in Japan follow:
( c ) AFRICAN MARKETS.
In Egypt, the most important market in Africa for woollen and worsted piece goods, there have been no Tariff changes.
( d ) AMERICAN MARKETS.
No changes have been made in the Customs duties on woollen and worsted piece goods in the five most important American markets, namely, the United States, Argentine Republic, Brazil, Chile and Uruguay. The consumption duty on woollen and worsted piece goods in Brazil was, however, slightly increased by the Budget Law for 1926, and the Consular fee in respect of shipments of all goods to Chile was increased from 1½ to 2 per cent. ad valorem towards the end of 1925.
Further Particulars of the Tariff Changes previously referred to.
GERMANY.
INCREASES IN DUTIES ON COTTON PIECE GOODS SINCE 1ST JANUARY, 1925. Tariff Number and Classification. Tariff Duty prior to October 1st, 1925. Tariff Duty in force October 1st, 1925. Increase in Duty (in English measures). Reichsmarks per 100 kilogs. Reichsmarks per 100 kilogs. per lb. 453. Unbleached cotton piece goods:— Twilled fabrics, except handkerchiefs, weighing 150 grs. or more but less than 400 grs. per sq. metre, with warp (or weft) wholly of linen or hemp and the weft (or warp) entirely of cotton, containing in warp and weft together in a square of 5 mm. side: 25 threads or less 50 60 0.53 More than 25 and up to 30 threads 50 80 1.60d. All other unbleached cotton piece goods weighing 80 gms. or more per sq. metre, having in warp and weft together in a square of 5 mm. side: 35 threads or less 50 100 2.68d. More than 35 threads and up to 44 threads 70 140 3.75d. More than 44 threads 90 180 4.82d. 454.Unbleached piece goods weighing 40 grs. or more but less than 80 grs. per sq. metre, and having in warp and weft together, in a square of 5 mm. side: 35 threads or less 90 155* 3.48d. More than 35 and up to 44 threads 120 205* 4.55d. More than 44 threads 150 260* 5.89d. 455.Unbleached piece goods weighing less than 40 grs. per sq. metre, and having in warp and weft together, in a square of 5 mm. side: 35 threads or less 120 240 6.42d. More than 35 and up to 44 threads 150 300 8.03d. More than 44 threads 170 340 9.10d. 456. Bleached cotton piece goods:— Twilled tissues, except handkerchiefs, weighing 150 or more but less than 400 grs. per sq. metre, with warp (or weft) wholly of linen or hemp and with weft (or warp) wholly of cotton, containing in warp and weft together in a square of 5 mm. side: 25 threads or less 70 85 0.80d. More than 25 and up to 30 threads 70 105 1.87d. Other bleached piece goods—duty on unbleached, according to kind, increased by 20 (surtax) 40 (surtax) 1.07d. (surtax). * Duties in force from 16th December. From 1st October to 16th December, somewhat higher duties were in operation.
Tariff Number and Classification. Tariff Duty prior to 1st October, 1925. Tariff Duty in force 1st October, 1926. Increase in Duty (in English measures). Reichmarks per 100 kilogs. Reichmarks per 100 kilogs. per lb. 457. Dyed, printed or colour woven piece goods:— Woven ribbons not more than 17 cms. wide weighing 80 grs. or more per sq. metre and containing more than 44 threads in warp and weft in a square of 5 mm. side, with panama-like foundation and with patterns of several wound figuring weft threads 140 154 0.75d. Other dyed, printed or colour-woven piece goods—duty on unbleached, according to kind, increased by 50 (surtax) 100* (surtax) 2.68d. (surtax) * In December, 1925 the duties on certain printed handkerchiefs were reduced to 175 and 225 Rm. per 100 kilogs.
NETHERLANDS.
By the Revised Tariff which came into force on 1st July, 1925, the import duty on cotton piece goods in general was increased from 5 per cent. to 8 per cent. ad valorem. The 5 per cent. ad valorem rate was, however, maintained for certain classes of fabrics, namely those containing more than 30, but not more than 200 threads in a square of 10 centimetres side and which for every 10 threads in the square of one metre side weigh more than 2 but not more than 7 grammes.
Moreover, certain cloths are exempted from duty, including fabrics weighing
Tariff Number and Classification. Tariff Duty prior to increase. Tariff Duty as increased. Increase in Duty (in English measures). (Yen per 100 kin.) (Yen per 100 kin.) per lb. 298 (7). Plain cotton tissues, not otherwise provided for in the Tariff:— A. Grey: A 1. Weighing not more than 5 kilogrammes per 100 square metres, and having in a square of 5 millimetres side, in warp and woof: ( a )19 threads or less 15.30 23.00 1.32d. ( b ) 27 threads or less 20.70 31.00 1.76d. ( c ) 35 threads or less 28.70 43.00 2.44d. ( d ) 43 threads or less 38.00 57.00 3.25d. ( e ) More than 43 threads 51.30 77.00 4.39d.
1,500 grammes or more per square metre (whether in the piece or in sections composed exclusively of said materials not further elaborated), provided they are not plushy and do not have flowers, checks, lines, squares, stripes or pattern woven, printed or otherwise marked thereon.
JAPAN.
On the lapse, on 10th March, 1925, of the Conventional Schedule to the Anglo-Japanese Commercial Treaty of 1911, the duties on certain cotton piece goods were increased as hereafter shown:
Tariff Number and Classification. Tariff Duty prior to increase. Tariff Duty as increased. Increase in Duty (in English measures). (Yen per 100 kin.) (Yen per 100 kin.) per lb. 298 (7). Plain cotton tissues, not otherwise provided for in the Tariff:— cont. A 2. Weighing not more than 10 kilogrammes per 100 square metres, and having in a square of 5 millimetres side, in warp and woof: ( a ) 19 threads or less 8.30 11.00 0.46d. ( b ) 27 threads or less 10.50 14.00 0.60d. ( c ) 35 threads or less 13.50 18.00 0.77d. ( d ) 43 threads or less 16.50 22.00 0.94d. ( e ) More than 43 threads 18.70 28.00 1.59d. A 3. Weighing not more than 20 kilogrammes per 100 square metres, and having in a square of 5 millimetres side, in warp and woof: ( a ) 19 threads or less 6.70 10.00 0.56d. ( b ) 27 threads or less 8.30 11.00 0.46d. ( c ) 35 threads or less 10.50 14.00 0.60d. ( d ) 43 threads or less 130.50 18.00 0.77d. ( e ) More than 43 threads 14.70 22.00 1.25d. A 4. Weighing not more than 30 kilogrammes per 100 square metres, and having in a square of 5 millimetres side, in warp and woof: ( a ) 19 threads or less 6.00 9.00 0.51d. ( b ) 27 threads or less 6.70 10.00 0.56d. ( c ) 35 threads or less 8.00 12.00 0.68d. ( d ) 43 threads or less 10.70 16.00 0.91d. ( e ) More than 43 threads 13.30 20.00 1.15d. A 5. Other 9.30 14.00 0.80d. B. Bleached simply—pay the duties on grey tissues plus 3 (surtax) 3 (surtax) — C. Other—pay the duties on grey tissues plus 7 (surtax) 7 (surtax) — 298 (9). Other cotton tissues (not including velvets, etc., crêpe, gauze, or figured or brocaded tissues):— A. Grey: A 1. Weighing not more than 5 kilogrammes per 100 square metres, and having in a square of 5 millimetres side, in warp and woof: ( a ) 19 threads or less 16.00 24.00 1.37d. ( b ) 27 threads or less 21.30 32.00 1.83d. ( c ) 35 threads or less 29.30 44.00 2.51d. ( d ) 43 threads or less 39.30 59.00 3.37d. ( e ) More than 43 threads 58.30 80.00 4.57d. A 2. Weighing not more than 10 kilogrammes per 100 square metres, and having in a square of 5 millimetres side, in warp and woof: ( a ) 19 threads or less 8.00 12.00 0.68d. ( b ) 27 threads or less 10.00 15.00 0.85d. ( c ) 35 threads or less 14.30 19.00 0.80d. ( d ) 43 threads or less 18.00 24.00 1.03d. ( e ) More than 43 threads 20.00 30.00 1.71d.
Tariff Number and Classification. Tariff Duty prior to increase. Tariff Duty as increased. Increase in Duty (in English measures). (Yen per 100 kin.) (Yen per 100 kin.) per lb. 298 (9). Other cotton tissues (not including velvets, etc., crêpe, gauze, or figured or brocaded tissues):— cont. A 3. Weighing not more than 20 kilogrammes per 100 square metres, and having in a square of 5 millimetres side, in warp and woof: ( a ) 27 threads or less 8.00 12.00 0.68d. ( b ) 35 threads or less 11.30 15.00 0.63d. ( c ) 43 threads or less 15.00 20.00 0.85d. ( d ) More than 43 threads 18.80 25.001.06d. A 4. Weighing not more than 30 kilogrammes per 100 square metres, and having in a square of 5 millimetres side, in warp and woof: ( a ) 27 threads or less 7.30 11.00 0.63d. ( b ) 35 threads or less 8.70 13.00 0.73d. ( c ) 43 threads or less 11.30 17.00 0.97d. ( d ) More than 43 threads 14.70 22.00 1.25d. A. 5. Other 10.00 15.00 0.85d. B. Bleached simply—pay the duties on grey tissues increased by 3 (surtax) 3 (surtax) C. Other—pay the duties on grey tissues increased by 7 (surtax) 7 (surtax) GERMANY. INCREASES OF DUTIES ON WOOLLEN AND WORSTED PIECE GOODS SINCE 1ST JANUARY, 1925. The duties on woollen and worsted piece goods in general (not including velvets, plushes and furnishing fabrics) were increased by the 1925 Tariff revision as follow: — Duties prior to revision. Duties after revision. Increase of Duty (in English measure). Reichsmarks per 100 kilogs. per lb. Woollen and worsted piece goods, weighing per square metre:— More than 700 grammes 135 260 6.69d. More than 500 up to 700 grammes 175 330 8.29d. More than 200 up to 500 grammes 175 380 10.97d. Note. —So-called Lodenstoffe weighing from 200 to 700 grammes per square metre, corresponding to samples imported (from countries enjoying most-favoured-nation treatment) to the extent of 20 metric tons per annum 175 243 3.64d. 200 grammes or less 220 380* 8.56d. * Duty in force from 16th December, 1925. From 1st October to 15th December a somewhat higher duty was levied.
Certain classes of piece goods were, however, excepted from this general increase. Thus the duties on mixed wool and cotton tissues containing at least 45 per cent. of cotton, but not containing any worsted yarn, were reduced on the occasion of tariff revision, as were also the duties on certain types of felted cloth for the manufacture of wood pulp, cellulose, straw, pulp or cellulose. As regards this latter cloth, the only tariff increases were as follow:
On cloth weighing over 1,000 up to 2,000 gms. per square metre—Duty increased from 135 to 140 Rm. per 100 Kgs. ( i.e., by 0.27d. per lb.).
On cloth weighing over 700 up to 1,000 gms. per square metre—Duty increased from 135 to 180 Rm. per 100 Kgs. ( i.e., by 2.41d. per lb.).
On cloth weighing over 500 up to 700 gms. per square metre—Duty increased from 175 to 180 Rm. per 100 Kgs. ( i.e., by 0.27d. per lb.).
On cloth weighing over 200 up to 500 gms. per square metre—Duty in creased from 175 to 220 Rm. per 100 Kgs. ( i.e., by 2.41d. per lb.).
NETHERLANDS.
By the Revised Tariff which came into force on 1st July, 1925, the import duty on woollen and worsted piece goods in general was increased from 5 to 8 per cent. ad valorem. The 5 per cent. duty was, however, maintained for certain classes of fabrics, namely, those containing more than 30 but not more than 200
— Duty prior to revision. Duty after revision. Increase of Duty (English equivalent). (Gold kronen per 100 kilogs.) 180 (Gold kronen per 100 kilogs.) 200 per lb. Weighing from 500 to 700 gms. per square metre 180 200 0.91d. Weighing under 200 gms. per square metre:— Unbleached 262 325 2.87d. Coloured 262 350 4.00d. Dyed or figured 262 420 7.19d.
The duty on piece goods weighing from 450 to 500 gms. per square metre was unchanged; and the duty on piece goods weighing over 700 gms. per square metre
threads in a square of 10 centimetres side, and which for every 10 threads in a square of 1 metre side weigh more than 2 but not more than 7 grammes.
Moreover, certain cloths are exempted from duty, such as (1) fabrics weighing over 800 but not over 1,500 grammes per square metre (provided they are not plushy and are made almost entirely of undyed or uncoloured threads, and that they are not printed, woven or otherwise marked with flowers, checks, stripes, patterns or figures); (2) fabrics weighing over 1,500 grammes per square metre (provided they are not plushy and do not have flowers, checks, lines, squares, stripes or patterns woven, printed or otherwise marked thereon); (3) Press cloths, etc., made of such fabrics; (4) Round woven wool felts, felt blankets for cotton printing rollers with guttapercha coating, made of the fabrics covered by (2) above, and to serve as part of an implement or apparatus; (5) Woollen strengthening flannel for use in cotton finishing mills.
AUSTRIA.
The revised Tariff which came into force on 1st January, 1925, increased the duties on certain grades of woollen and worsted goods as follows:
was reduced, as also was the duty on fabrics under 200 gms. per square metre for foundations for aerienne embroidery. On cloths weighing from 200 to 450 gms. per square metre, the duty of 200 kronen per 100 kilogs. was changed to 175 or 185 kronen per 100 kilogs. plus 5 per cent. ad valorem, with a specially low duty on figured fabrics of this weight for making buttons.
— Duty prior to increase. Duty as increased. Duty (in English measures). Tissues of wool, and mixed tissues of wool and cotton other than velvets, etc.— (Yen per 100 kin.) (.Yen per 100 kin.) per lb. A. Of Wool: ( a ) Weighing not more than 100 grammes per square metre — no change — ( b ) Weighing not more than 200 grammes per square metre 57.50 70.00 2.14d. ( c ) Weighing not more than 500 grammes per square metre 45.00 60.00 2.56d. ( d ) Other 40.00 50.00 1.71d. B. align="center">Of Wool and Cotton: (a, b) Weighing not more than 200 grammes per square metre — no change — ( c ) Weighing not more than 500 grammes per square metre 30.00 37.50 1.28d. ( d )Other 18.00 22.50 0.77d. BOARD OF TRADE, 4th March, 1926
TERRITORIAL ARMY (NON-ATTENDANCE).
asked the Secretary of State for War the number of proceedings instituted against members of the Territorial Force for failure to attend drill and camp; and the number of convictions secured in such cases?
The information required is not available in the War Office, and I do not think that its value would justify the not inconsiderable labour and expense of obtaining it.
AGRICULTURAL RATES (SCOTLAND) ACT.
asked the Secretary for Scotland whether any Exchequer grants under the Agricultural Rates Acts, 1896 and 1923, or similar Acts, are paid to Scotland; and, if so, the amount of the grant?
JAPAN.
On the lapse, on 10th March, 1925, of the Conventional Schedule to the Anglo-Japanese Commercial Treaty of 1911, the duties on certain fabrics of wool were increased as shown below:
The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. The approximate amount of the Exchequer Grants paid annually to Scotland under the Agricultural Rates (Scotland) Acts, 1896 to 1923, is £675,100.
KENT COALFIELD (TOWN PLANNING).
asked the Minister of Health what steps have been taken by his Department, following the opening up of the new Kentish coalfields, to secure that town planning in these new industrial areas shall be carried out in accordance with modern ideas, especially as to limiting the number of houses to the acre and as to adequate open spaces and playing fields?
I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given by me to a question by the hon Member for Pontypridd (Mr. Mardy Jones) on the same subject on the 25th ultimo.
ADMIRALTY (LANDS DEPARTMENT).
asked the First Lord of the Admiralty the number and cost of the staff of the Lands Department of the Admiralty?
The staff of the Lands branch of the civil engineer-in-chief's Department at the Admiralty and out-ports number 30, including surveyors, draughtsmen and clerical staff. The present annual cost is £11,200.
ENTRANCE APPLICANTS (REJECTIONS).
asked the First Lord of the Admiralty what percentage of applicants was rejected for the Navy in the years 1910, 1911, 1912, 1913 and 1925, and what the principal physical defects were, giving the proportions to the total number of rejections?
Statistics as regards rejections for physical defects are not available for the years 1910 to 1913. The percentage rejected in 1925 was 87, and of the candidates rejected by the final medical examining officers the principal defects were: Defect. … … Proportion to total of rejections. Per Cent. Defective vision … … 19.39 Defective teeth … … 12.66 Disease of heart … … 8.75 Flat foot … … 8.41 Disease of ears … … 7.61 The preparation of similar statistics for candidates who were not sent to the final medical examining officers would involve an expenditure of clerical work which I do not think would be justified.
MOTOR TRAFFIC.
asked the Home Secretary if he is aware of the inconvenience incurred by motorists owing to their being held up for licence examination by the police several times within the same police area; and will he make arrangements for supplying a distinctive label for affixing to cars found to be in order, in order to obviate further delays on the same day?
So far as London is concerned, the statement is not in accordance with fact. If the hon. Member will tell me where any such cases have recently occurred in the country, I will make inquiries.
HOUSE OF COMMONS (TRAFFIC REGULATIONS).
asked the Home Secretary how many persons are in possession of the official tab to facilitate their progress in traffic; and whether he will circulate with the answer the names of each of them, together with a statement of the Regulations governing the use of the tab?
pursuant to his reply [OFFICIAL REPORT, 4th March, 1926, col. 1592], supplied the following list:
Following is the list:
His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales.
His Royal Highness The Duke of York.
His Royal Highness The Prince Henry.
Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal.
The Ambassadors of the following countries Belgium. Brazil. France. Germany. Italy. Japan. Portugal. Spain. Turkey. United States of America.
The Ministers Plenipotentiary of Afghanistan. Argentine Republic. Austria. Bulgaria. Chili. China. Colombia. Cuba. Czechoslovakia.
The Ministers Plenipotentiary of Denmark. Egypt. Finland. Greece. Latvia. Lithuania. Mexico. Netherlands. Nicaragua. Norway. Persia. Peru. Poland. Rumania. Serbia. Siam. Sweden. Switzerland. The Lord Chancellor. The Prime Minister. The Lord President of the Council. The Lord Privy Seal. The Secretary of State for the Home Department. The Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs. The Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs and for the Colonies. The Secretary of State for War. The Secretary of State for India. The Secretary of State for Air. The Chancellor of the Exchequer. The Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster. The First Lord of the Admiralty. The President of the Board of Trade. The Minister of Health. The Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries. The Secretary for Scotland. The President of the Board of Education. The Minister of Labour. The First Commissioner of Works. 1792 The Attorney-General. The Postmaster-General. The Governor of Northern Ireland. The Speaker of the House of Commons. The Parliamentary Secretary to the Treasury.
The High Commissioners for Canada. Australia. New Zealand. South Africa. Irish Free State. Newfoundland. India.
POST OFFICE (EX-TEMPORARY WRITING ASSISTANTS).
asked the Postmaster-General whether he is aware of the delays which exist in dealing with claims properly presented to his Department by the appropriate associations concerned; that the claim on behalf of certain ex-temporary writing assistants in district managers' offices presented more than 12 months ago has not yet been finally decided; and whether, in view of the fact that junior ex-temporary writing assistants in the same offices, as a result of the industrial court award of 1925, have in most cases received benefit already and the consequent dissatisfaction existing amongst the senior girls in whose case there has been such prolonged delay, he will expedite a satisfactory settlement of the claim concerned?
I am not aware of any general delay in dealing with such claims. With regard to the particular claim mentioned, which has been somewhat complicated, it has not so far been possible to reach agreement with the Association; but the matter has just been discussed again, with a view to seeking a settlement by arbitration, if necessary.