§ 9. Mr. KILEYasked the President of the Board of Trade whether cheap lenses imported for use with pocket lamps are held by his Department to be liable to key industry duty; and, if so, on what grounds, seeing that they are not optically worked and do not bear any commercial comparison with the superior type of ground lenses which are produced by skilled workers in this country and which would in no case be purchased for use in the connection indicated?
§ Mr. BALDWINThe hon. Member appears to be under a misapprehension. Cheap lenses of the type ordinarily used in pocket lamps are not made of optical 946 glass and are not worked; and accordingly they are not dutiable under Part I of the Safeguarding of Industries Act. Lenses of better quality are also sometimes used in pocket lamps, and these, when worked, are subject to duty.
§ Mr. KILEYCould the right hon. Gentleman not give instructions to His Majesty's officers of Customs to prevent the annoying delays that are now taking place?
§ Mr. BALDWINI am not aware of any annoying delays, but I will look into the matter.