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The growth of manufacturing protection in 1920s Britain

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  • Brian D. Varian

Abstract

Prior to the Import Duties Act of 1932, an assortment of legislation expanded the scope of manufacturing protection in Britain. This article assesses the magnitude of manufacturing protection before the Import Duties Act and finds that, in 1930, 9% of net manufacturing output occurred in a protected industry. In the late 1920s, protected industries exhibited above‐average growth in labour productivity. However, protection was disproportionately extended to newer manufacturing industries, which presented greater potential for productivity growth. This article concludes that protection did not enhance productivity growth in Britain's manufacturing industries in the late 1920s.

Suggested Citation

  • Brian D. Varian, 2019. "The growth of manufacturing protection in 1920s Britain," Scottish Journal of Political Economy, Scottish Economic Society, vol. 66(5), pages 703-711, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:bla:scotjp:v:66:y:2019:i:5:p:703-711
    DOI: 10.1111/sjpe.12223
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. David M Higgins & Brian D Varian, 2021. "Britain’s Empire Marketing Board and the failure of soft trade policy, 1926–33 [Bringing another empire alive? The Empire Marketing Board and the construction of Dominion identity, 1926–1933]," European Review of Economic History, European Historical Economics Society, vol. 25(4), pages 780-805.
    2. Brian D. Varian, 2022. "Imperial preference before the Ottawa Agreements: Evidence from New Zealand's Preferential and Reciprocal Trade Act of 1903," Economic History Review, Economic History Society, vol. 75(4), pages 1214-1241, November.

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