HC Deb 27 November 1933 vol 283 c493
68. Mr. H. WILLIAMS

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will publish the Report from the Import Duties Advisory Committee in respect of the protection to be accorded to printing inks and lake pigments when the importation of these goods is no longer regulated by the Dyestuffs Act; and if the Treasury is prepared to make the necessary order at an early date in order that British manufacturers may have early notice of the conditions under which their business will have to be carried on in future

Mr. HORE-BELISHA

No report on this subject has yet been received from the Import Duties Advisory Committee, but my hon. Friend will be aware that in their Report on the Dyestuffs Industry (Command Paper 4411) the committee expressed their intention of recommending such adjustments of duties under the Import Duties Act, in respect of these among other goods as might seem desirable in each case. It is understood that the committee now have the matter under consideration, and I can assure my hon. Friend that there will be no avoidable delay in dealing with any report which may be received.

Mr. WILLIAMS

Is it possible to publish the report a considerable time in advance of the date on which the recommendation will come into operation, having regard to the fact that there will be no anticipation of this duty?

Mr. HORE-BELISHA

I have no reason to anticipate that there will be any variation from the usual procedure in publishing these reports.

Mr. WILLIAMS

But I want a variation. Will the hon. Member vary the procedure by giving early publication of the report, seeing that there is no risk of these duties being anticipated, because the importation of the goods is at present prohibited under the Dyestuffs Act?

Mr. HORE-BELISHA

These reports are published as soon as practicable and that procedure will be followed in this case.