§ 54. Sir JAMES REMNANTasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, having regard to the fact that traders holding stocks of duty-paid goods, clocks and watches, can ship these out of the country and claim drawback to the amount of duty paid on importation, he will consider the expediency of allowing traders a rebate to the extent of duty paid on importation on their stocks of duty-paid goods remaining on 1st August, thereby saving a great deal of unremunerative work and expenses both to traders and Customs which is involved on the exportation of such goods?
§ Mr. SNOWDENI have carefully considered this suggestion, but I regret that I cannot see my way to adopt it.
§ Sir J. REMNANTIn view of the hardship on the traders concerned and of the fact that it does not affect the financial statement, will the right hon. Gentleman reconsider the matter?
§ Mr. VIVIANSeeing that the hon. Member opposite believes the foreigner already pays the duty, why should the Exchequer pay it back again?
§ Mr. SNOWDENI will leave to the two hon. Members the question whether the foreigner pays, but I may say I postponed the repeal of the McKenna Duties for three months in order to deal with this question. It would have been quite impracticable to give a rebate, and I think the traders have had sufficient time to get rid of their duty-paid stock without any serious loss.