Trade relations between UK and Irish Free State (1936)

As a result of discussions during the last few weeks it has been agreed that the arrangement made a year ago in regard to the export of coal from the United Kingdom to the Irish Free State and of cattle from the Irish Free State to the United Kingdom on a pound for pound basis shall be continued. Following the arrangement of a year ago United Kingdom exports of coal to the Irish Free State in 1935 were 1,000,000 tons greater than in 1934, and it is expected that there will be a further increase in 1936. It will be remembered that the Irish Free State Government has recently removed the duty of 5/ a ton on United Kingdom coal.

Further, the United Kingdom Government will reduce by 10 per cent, ad valorem, or by a corresponding proportion in case of specific duties, the existing duties on live animals and on meat, except pigs and pig meat, and will make additional reductions in the duties on horses, sheep, and lambs, and mutton and lamb. Minor adjustments will also be made in reduced cattle duties. Arrangements for the regulation of imports of bacon and hams into the United Kingdom in 1936 will provide for an increase of 10 per cent, in supplies for the Irish Free State as compared with 1935.

The Irish Free State Government for its part will reduce by 10 per cent, ad valorem, or by a corresponding proportion in the case of specific duties, the existing emergency duties on United Kingdom goods. Finally the Irish Free State Government will reserve for the United Kingdom one-third of the imports of cement into the Irish Free State, practically the whole of which has come from foreign countries in recent years. The reductions of duties on both sides will take effect on Wednesday, February 19.