§ 39. Mr. MARSHALL STEVENSasked the Prime Minister, as in so many cases rates and taxes requisite to meet national charges have increased to an extent which precludes producers, both employers and workpeople, from competing even in our own markets with foreign producers, if the Government will consider the desirability of reviewing our system of taxation to provide, amongst other things, that the Free Trade principle of collecting import duties for revenue purposes upon commodities imported and also produced at home may be re-established?
§ The PRIME MINISTERThe system of local rating is at present under comprehensive review, and everything is being done for the purpose of making it possible to reduce taxation. The proposal made by my hon. Friend in the latter part of the question is a subject of acute controversy, and is not capable of being treated within the limits of a Parliamentary answer.