Abnormal Importations (Customs Duties) Act 1931

The Abnormal Importations (Customs Duties) Act 1931 (22 & 23 Geo. V c. 1) was an Act of the British Parliament enacted on 20 November, 1931 which gave the Board of Trade, with the agreement of HM Treasury, the power to impose or raise duties up to 100% "ad valorem" on specific imported goods which were imported in "abnormal quantities". Each order under this power would be put before the House of Commons immediately and would expire in 28 days unless the Commons extended it by resolution. It had a lifespan of six months and was not extended. [Clinton L. Rossiter, "Constitutional Dictatorship - Crisis in Government in Modern Democracies", pp. 179-80.]

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