GERMAN MOTOR-CARS (IMPORT DUTIES).

HC Deb 12 April 1923 vol 162 c1289

61. Colonel NEWMAN

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will state if, under the arrangement for the levying of customs and other duties on dutiable goods exported from the Irish Free State to Great Britain, a German motor-car consigned to an Irish dealer, and by him re-exported to Great Britain, is liable for Reparation Duty in addition to the ordinary Customs Duty of 22 per cent.?

Major BOYD - CARPENTER

The car in question would be liable to the full rate of motor-car import duty, namely, 33⅓ per cent. ad valorem. German Reparation Levy would also be payable if the car, when des-patched from Germany, were consigned directly or indirectly to this country; but not if it were genuinely purchased outright by an Irish dealer, and thereafter re-sold and re-exported to this country.

Colonel NEWMAN

Does that not mean that Ireland will be a dumping ground for German goods?

Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHY

It will mean cheap motor-cars.