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Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 13 Feb 1935

Vol. 54 No. 11

Written Answers. - Import Particulars.

asked the Minister for Finance if he will state the value of the articles to which Control of Imports (Quota Nos. 1 to 10) Orders, 1934, refer, imported into Saorstát Eireann during the year ended December, 1933, and the year ended December, 1934, and the total amount of customs duties paid in respect of these imports in each of these years; and if he will state the rate of customs duties chargeable on these articles during (1) the preliminary period and (2) the subsequent quota period fixed under the Control of Imports Act; and if he will state the amount of customs duties which it is estimated will be paid in respect of the imports of these articles during the first 12 months after the making of the Order.

Quota (No. 1) Order 1934, relates to outer covers and inner tubes for motor cars. During the years ended 31st December, 1933, and 1934, the import particulars were:—

Year ended

Value.

Duty (approx.).

£

£

31st December, 1933

157,096

35,878

31st December, 1934

177,775

58,148

A customs duty at the rate of 33? per cent. ad valorem has been charged on outer covers and inner tubes for motor cars since 20th January, 1934, and no change in the rate was made at the time of the issue of the quota order or since.

As quota periods and quotas have so far been fixed for only a part of the first year of operation of Control of Imports (Quota No. 1) Order, 1934, it is not possible to furnish a reliable estimate of the amount of Customs duties likely to be paid in that year in respect of the imports of the articles affected. The yield of duty from the relative imports during the period 1st September, 1934, to 31st January, 1935, approximated to £16,000.

Quota (No. 2) Order, 1934, relates to outer covers and inner tubes for motor cycles and pedal cycles, etc. The only dutiable tyres and tubes covered by the order are for motor cycles, etc., and for these the relative import particulars are:—

Year ended

Value.

Duty (approx.).

£

£

31st December, 1933

1,391

265

31st December, 1934

1,024

346

As regards the non-dutiable articles it has been ascertained from the Department of Industry and Commerce that the figures were:—

Year ended

Value.

£

31st December, 1933

54,559

31st December, 1934

53,880

A Customs duty at the rate of 33? per cent. ad valorem has been charged on outer covers and inner tubes for motor cycles and the like goods since 20th January, 1934, and no change in the rate was made at the time of the issue of the quota order or since.

As quota periods and quotas have, so far, been fixed for only part of the first year of operation of Control of Imports (Quota No. 2) Order, 1934, it is not possible to furnish a reliable estimate of the amount of Customs duty likely to be paid in that year in respect of the imports of the articles affected. The yield of duty from the relative imports during the period 1st September, 1934, to 31st January, 1935, was negligible (less than £12).

(1) Quota (No. 3) Order, 1934, relates to boots and shoes other than those for infants, sizes 0—6, and those made of rubber or fitted with rubber soles, etc. Under the terms of Quota (No. 3) (Amendment) Order, 1935, infants' boots and shoes, sizes 0—6, were brought under control as from 23rd January, 1935.

The value of the imports of boots and shoes now covered by the Quota (No. 3) Order, 1934, and the yield of duty are as follows:—

Year ended

Value.

Duty (approx.).

£

£

31st December, 1933

856,894

240,413

31st December, 1934

688,984

199,993

The value of the imports of boots and shoes now covered by the Quota (No. 3) (Amendment) Order, 1935, are as follows:—

Year ended

Value.

£

31st December, 1933

27,634

31st December, 1934

28,039

No duty yield was received during the years in question as infants' boots and shoes, sizes 0—6, only became dutiable as from 23rd January, 1935.

The rates of duty applicable to these goods are those set out in Section 9 and the Second Schedule to the Finance Act, 1934, reference Nos. 1 to 4 which applied from 10th May, 1934. The only alteration in the rates of duty is that referred to in the preceding paragraph as regards infants' boots and shoes.

As quota periods and quotas have so far been fixed for only a part of the first year of operation of Control of Imports (Quota No. 3) Order, 1934, it is not possible to furnish a reliable estimate of the amount of customs duties likely to be paid in that year in respect of the imports of the articles affected. The yield of duty from the relative imports during the period 19th September, 1934, to 31st January, 1935, approximated to £53,000.

(2) Quota (No. 4) Order, 1934, relates to boots and shoes, other than those for infants', sizes 0—6, made of rubber or fitted with rubber soles, etc. Under the terms of Quota (No. 4) (Amendment) Order, 1935, infants' boots and shoes, sizes 0—6, were brought under control as from 23rd January, 1935.

The value of the imports of boots and shoes now covered by the Quota (No. 4) Order, 1934, and the yield of duty are as follows:—

Year ended

Value.

Duty (approx.).

£

£

31st December, 1933

78,709

15,541

31st December, 1934

38,233

26,379

The value of the imports of boots and shoes now covered by the Quota (No. 4) (Amendment) Order, 1935, are as follows:—

Year ended

Value.

£

31st December, 1933

4,737

31st December, 1934

877

No duty yield was received during the years in question as infants' boots and shoes, sizes 0—6, only become dutiable as from 23rd January, 1935.

The rates of duty applicable to these goods are those set out in Section 9 and the Second Schedule to the Finance Act, 1934, reference Nos. 5 and 6. The only alteration in the rates of duty is that referred to in the preceding paragraph as regards infants' boots and shoes.

As quota periods and quotas have so far been fixed for only a part of the first year of operation of Control of Imports (Quota No. 4) Order, 1934, it is not possible to furnish a reliable estimate of the amount of Customs duties likely to be paid in that year in respect of the imports of the articles affected. The yield of duty from the relative imports during the period 19th September, 1934, to 31st January, 1935, approximated to £7,000.

The total value of sugar exceeding 98º polarization imported into Saorstát Eireann during the years ended 31st December, 1933, and 31st December, 1934, was £713,639 and £545,256, respectively, and the amount of Customs duty paid on these importations was, approximately, £945,223 and £1,022,550.

The Customs duty chargeable during the preliminary period under the Control of Imports (Quota No. 5) Order, 1934, was at the rate of 16/4 per cwt. from the 6th October to the 12th October, and at the rate of 18/8 per cwt. from 13th October to the 31st October, 1934. This latter rate was also chargeable during the first quota period from 1st November to the 31st December, 1934.

As quota periods and quotas have so far been fixed in respect of only a part of the first year of operation of the Control of Imports (Quota No. 5) Order, 1934, it is not possible to furnish a reliable estimate of the amount of Customs duties likely to be paid in respect of the imports in that year of the class of sugar affected. The yield from the relative imports in the period 6th October, 1934, to 31st January, 1935, approximated to £183,000.

The Control of Imports (Quota No. 6) Order, 1934, prohibits the importation of apparel and component parts thereof, made wholly or mainly of woven tissue or composite cloth, which has been proofed with rubber or rubber solution. Such articles form only part of proofed apparel generally, and as importers have not been required to indicate the method of proofing used, figures are not available as regards the value of imports and yield of duty for the period in question.

Since the issue of the quota order, such goods have been liable to Customs duty at the amended rates specified by Section 10 and the Third Schedule (reference Nos. 14, 17 and 27) of Finance Act, 1934, viz.:—

NEW—

Adults

60% ad valorem or 5s. each.

Children's & infants

40% ad valorem or 5s. each.

SECOND-HAND—

25% ad valorem or 3s. each.

As quota periods and quotas have so far been fixed for only a part of the first year of operation of Control of Imports (Quota No. 6) Order, 1934, it is not possible to furnish a reliable estimate of the amount of Customs duty likely to be paid in that year in respect of the imports of the articles affected; but in view of the small quotas already fixed, it is believed that the yield will be inappreciable.

The type of woven tissue or composite cloth affected by the Control of Imports (Quota No. 7) Order, 1934, is restricted to such tissue or cloth which has, for the purpose of proofing, been coated with rubber or rubber solution, or has been subjected to a process involving the use of these media. The only figures bearing on the subject refer, where available, to proofed goods in general, and could not be segregated without undue expenditure of time and labour. It would not, in most cases, be possible to give figures for the classes of tissues and composite cloth specifically affected by the order. It may, however, be pointed out that during the period 1st January, 1933, to 31st December, 1934, such goods, if wholly or partly of wool or worsted, were not liable to duty [vide Finance Act, 1932 (No. 20 of 1932)—Section 34 (1) (a) and Finance (Customs Duties) (No. 4) Act, 1932, (No. 34 of 1932), Section 14, and Fourth Schedule reference No. 7]. Piece goods of silk or artificial silk have not at any time been liable to duty. As regards linen, union, and certain cotton piece goods, liable as from 12th May, 1932, under Finance Act, 1932 (No. 20 of 1932), Section 11, and First Schedule reference No. 14, a provision exempting proofed goods as from 10th May, 1934, was inserted on the reimposition of the duty by Finance Act, 1934 (No. 31 of 1934), Section 8 and First Schedule, reference 22. Certain jute piece goods have been liable to duty since 20th October, 1932 Finance (Customs Duties) (No. 4) Act, 1932, Section 1, and First Schedule, reference No. 24). It may, therefore, be taken that the goods affected by this quota order, with the exception of linen, union, cotton and jute piece goods were not liable to duty at any time from 1st January, 1933 to 9th May, 1934, and that as from 10th May, 1934, incidence of duty only affects certain jute piece goods. With the exception of jute piece goods, no duty was leviable during (1) the preliminary period or (2) in the subsequent quota period fixed under the Control of Imports Act, and no yield of duty has been estimated in respect of the imports of such goods during the first 12 months after the making of the order.

The articles covered by Control of Imports (Quota No. 8) Order, 1934, are complete motor cars seating not more than six persons, exclusive of the driver. The relative import figures for the two years in question are:—

Year ended

Value.

Duty (approx.).

£

£

31st December, 1933

370,624

150,397

31st December, 1934

346,875

162,302

The rates of Customs duty to which such articles are liable were fixed by the Finance Act, 1934, and remained unchanged during the preliminary period and the subsequent period; they were—

On Chassis—33? ad valorem—Finance Act, 1934, Section 12, and Fourth Schedule, Part II, reference No. 9.

On Bodies—50% ad valorem or £40— Finance Act, 1934, Section 12, and Fourth Schedule, Part I, reference No. 1.

As quota periods and quotas have so far been fixed for only a part of the first year of operation of Control of Imports (Quota No. 8) Order, 1934, it is not possible to furnish a reliable estimate of the amount of Customs duties likely to be paid in that year in respect of the imports of the articles affected. The yield of duty from the relative imports during the period 20th October, 1934, to 31st January, 1935, approximated to £23,000.

Control of Imports (Quota No. 9) Order, 1934, relates to completely or substantially assembled chassis for motor vehicles imported separately. The relative import figures for the two years in question are:—

Year ended

Value.

Duty (approx.).

£

£

31st December, 1933

239,910

53,175

31st December, 1934

116,453

36,890

During the preliminary period and the subsequent quota period the rate of Customs duty to which articles covered by Quota No. 9 Order are subject remain unaltered. It was 33? per cent. ad valorem, imposed by Finance Act, 1934, Section 12, and Fourth Schedule, Part II, reference No. 9.

As quota periods and quotas have so far been fixed for only a part of the first year of operation of Control of Imports (Quota No. 9) Order, 1934, it is not possible to furnish a reliable estimate of the amount of Customs duty likely to be paid in that year in respect of the imports of the articles affected. The yield of duty from the relative imports during the period 20th October, 1934, to 31st January, 1935, approximated to £2,700.

Control of Imports (Quota No. 10) Order, 1934, relates to completely or substantially assembled motor car bodies or body shells designed for the accommodation of not more than six persons, exclusive of the driver, imported separately. The relative import figures for the two years in question in respect of motor car bodies are:—

Year ended

Value

Duty (approx.).

£

£

31st December, 1933

438

329

31st December, 1934

1,515

792

It is impossible to segregate figures in respect of body shells as these are entered under the general Import List Description: "Metal doors, body shells and parts thereof, unpainted, etc., for touring cars."

During the preliminary period and the subsequent quota period the rates of Customs duty to which articles covered by Quota No. 10 Order are subject remain unaltered. They were for bodies 50 per cent. ad valorem or £40, imposed by Finance Act, 1934, Section 12, and Fourth Schedule, Part I, reference No. 1, and for body shells 26? ad valorem, imposed by the same statute Fourth Schedule, Part I, reference No. 5.

As quota periods and quotas have so far been fixed for only a part of the first year of operation of Control of Imports (Quota No. 10) Order, 1934, it is not possible to furnish a reliable estimate of the amount of Customs duties likely to be paid in that year in respect of the imports of the articles affected. The yield of duty from the relative imports during the period 20th October, 1934, to 31st January, 1935, approximated to £250.

asked the Minister for Finance if he will state the value of the articles to which the Control of Imports (Quota Nos. 11 and 12) Orders, 1935, refer, imported into Saorstát Eireann during the year ended December, 1933, and the year ended December, 1934, and the total amount of Customs duties paid in respect of these imports in each of these years; and if he will state the rate of customs duties chargeable on these articles during (1) the preliminary period, and (2) the subsequent quota period fixed under the Control of Imports Act; and if he will state the amount of customs duties which it is estimated will be paid in respect of the imports of these articles during the first 12 months after the making of the Order.

The total value of the articles to which the Control of Imports (Quota No. 11) Order, 1934, refers, imported into Saorstát Eireann during the year ended 31st December, 1933, and the year ended 31st December, 1934, and the total amount of customs duties paid in respect of these imports are as set out hereunder:—

Value of Goods

Year

Dutiable

Free of Duty under licence. (Countries of origin Great Britain and Northern Ireland)

Free (Countries of origin Countries other than Great Britain or Northern Ireland)

Customs Duty. (Approximately)

£

£

£

£

1933

1,277,543

99,117

980,759

270,856

1934

755,055

185,391

1,261,360

210,183

A customs duty at the rate of 5/- a ton was imposed as from 26th July, 1932, on goods to which the Control of Imports (Quota No. 11) Order, 1934, refers, imported from Great Britain and Northern Ireland, and no alteration has been made in the rate of duty on the articles in question during (1) the preliminary period and (2) the subsequent quota period fixed under the Control of Imports Act so far.

As quota periods and quotas have so far been fixed in respect of only a part of the first year of operation of the Control of Imports (Quota No. 11) Order, 1934, it is not possible to furnish a reliable estimate of the amount of customs duties likely to be paid in respect of the imports in that year of the articles to which the Order refers.

The total value of the articles to which the Control of Imports (Quota No. 12) Order, 1935, refers, viz., hose and half hose of silk or artificial silk, imported into Saorstát Eireann during the years ended the 31st December, 1933, and 31st December, 1934, was £143,921 and £124,529, respectively, and the amount of customs duty paid on these importations was, approximately, £50,247 and £62,631. In addition to the foregoing, articles to the value of £596 were imported free of duty under licence during the year 1933.

The customs duty at the rate of 40 per cent. ad valorem (with a minimum duty of 6/- per dozen) has been leviable on the articles to which the Order in question relates since the 10th May, 1934, and so far no change has been made in this rate during the preliminary period under the Order. For the information of the Deputy it may be pointed out that the first quota period under the Order will not commence until the 25th February, 1935.

As quota periods and quotas have so far been fixed in respect of only a part of the first year of operation of the Control of Imports (Quota No. 12) Order, 1935, it is not possible to furnish a reliable estimate of the amount of customs duties likely to be paid in respect of the imports in that year of the articles to which the Order refers.

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