HC Deb 21 November 1911 vol 31 cc1014-5
Mr. HUNT

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in view of the fact that on account of the heavy local and Imperial taxation, the Thames Ironworks, employing between 3,000 and 4,000 men, are in danger of being closed, and, in view of the fact that the extra taxation on the employers alone will, if the National Insurance Bill passes, come to between £2,000 and £2,500 a year, he can see his way to transfer this extra taxation of both the employers and of the men to competing goods coming from abroad?

Mr. McKINNON WOOD

No, Sir; my right hon. Friend is unable to see his way to achieving the object indicated by the hon. Member.

Mr. HUNT

Is it not most injurious to British industries that they should be extra taxed whilst foreign competing goods from abroad are still quite free?