HC Deb 19 July 1923 vol 166 cc2486-7
47. Sir EDWARD MANVILLE

asked the Prime Minister whether he is aware that foreign produced motor tyres now being sold in this country, to the detriment of British manufactured motor tyres, contribute nothing whatever to taxation and local rates or the cost of national and local administration in this country; and whether, seeing that the British motor tyre manufacturers are taxed on the ordinary Income Tax in the same way as other manufacturers, and contribute very substantial sums to local rates, he proposes to take any steps to prevent competition in circumstances which are about to lead to the extinction of the British tyre industry?

48. Lieut.-Colonel JAMES

asked the Prime Minister whether his attention has been called to the mass production of rubber tyres in the United States, the average output of American manufacturers being estimated at 150,000 tyres per day; whether the entire requirement of the British market is about 10,000 tyres per day; whether he is aware that, in the absence of any safeguards for British tyre manufacture, the production of British motor tyres on anything approaching a profit basis is practically impossible; and what steps the Government propose to take to safeguard this important industry?

The PRIME MINISTER

I would refer my hon. Friends to the answer which I gave yesterday to questions on this subject by my hon. Friends the Members for Acton (Sir H. Brittain) and Moseley (Mr. Hannon).

68. Colonel Sir CHARLES YATE

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether, considering the large amount of unemployment now existing in the British tyre industry owing to the dumping in this country of foreign-made tyres, the Government will consider the question of extending the duty on foreign cars to foreign tyres?

Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKS

I have nothing to add to what has previously been said on this matter.

Sir C. YATE

When it is said that it is under consideration, does that mean favourable consideration?

Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKS

The Prime Minister said yesterday that it was under consideration, so my hon. and gallant Friend must appeal to him as to what that means.

Captain BENN

What does "consideration" mean? Does it mean that action is being taken?

Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKS

What it means is that the matter is being considered.