HC Deb 04 July 1922 vol 156 c195
61. Dr. MURRAY

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the total amount of duties collected under the Key Industries Schedule on imported boric acid from 1st October last to 20th June, 1922; and whether he is prepared to consider a refund to the importers of duties paid upon this commodity since October last, in view of the fact that the referee appointed by the Lord Chancellor has now given judgment declaring that the duties were levied as a result of a mistake on the part of the Board of Trade?

Sir R. HORNE

The amount of Key Industry Duty collected in respect of boric acid during the period from the 1st October, 1921, to the 20th June, 1922, is £21. As regards the concluding part of the question, I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given yesterday to a question by the hon. Member for West Derbyshire.

Dr. MURRAY

Is it right for the Government to retain this money, seeing that it does not belong to them?

Sir R. HORNE

That is a different question.