§ Mr. FELLasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if a Customs duty of 10 per cent. on the value of foreign motor cars and accessories imported will produce as much as the Customs duty of 33 per cent. now being levied on petrol imported into this country; and will the cost of collection of the former duty be much less than that of the latter, when regard was had to the difficulty which will be experienced in returning the overpaid duty on petrol: not used for motor cars?
§ Mr. LLOYD-GEORGEI cannot, in the absence of a corresponding Excise duty on similar articles of British manufacture, form any estimate of the probable effect on the importation of motor cars, etc., of the imposition of a tax such as that suggested by the hon. Member, or, consequently, of the yield of the tax, or of the cost of its collection.
§ Mr. JOYNSON-HICKSCan the right hon. Gentleman form any opinion as to whether this tax will increase or decrease employment? Will it not inevitably result in a decrease of employment?