HC Deb 09 July 1925 vol 186 cc592-3
39. Viscount SANDON

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in view of the heavy consignments during May and June into this country of imports of foreign commodities which became dutiable on 1st July, he will carry out the proposal he stated to be desirable in such an event, to make the tax retrospective to 1st May?

40. Colonel BURTON

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the value of the articles coming within the scope of the McKenna Duties which have been imported since the dare of the introduction of the Budget and what is the amount which would have accrued to the Treasury had these duties been imposed at the earliest possible date after the introduction of the Budget instead of being postponed till 1st July?

42. Mr. CLUSE

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether his attention has been drawn to the large import of motor-cars in the Port of London during the past two months; and whether it is proposed to levy a retrospective duty on these cars and any other imports that may be subject to the McKenna Duties?

43 and 44. Sir ROBERT GOWER

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) the number and value of pianos and other musical instruments imported into this country during the month of June, 1925; and what sum would have accrued to the revenue had the revived import duties been chargeable on such pianos and other musical instruments during such month;

(2) the number and value of clocks and watches imported into this country during the month of June, 1925; and what sum would have accrued to the revenue have the revived import duties been chargeable on such clocks and watches during such month?

Mr. CHURCHILL

I am circulating in the OFFICIAL REPORT the figures asked for by my hon. Friends as far as they are available. For the rest, I cannot add anything to the reply which I gave to similar questions on the 7th July.

Following is the statement promised:

Provisional figures of the value of the total imports in June of musical instruments, including parts and accessories, and of clocks and watches, including parts, are as follow:

£
Musical instruments … 650,000
Clocks and watches … 1,480,000

The numbers imported are not yet available.

Provisional figures of the value of the total imports in May and June of these articles, together with motor touring cars, motor cycles and chassis, including parts and accessories, are as follows:

£
Musical instruments … 890,000
Clocks and watches … 2,100,000
Motor cars, etc. … 4,120,000

The figures for motor cars, etc., include chassis and parts of commercial motor cars, which would not come within the scope of the McKenna Duties. The value of imported cinematograph films is not yet known.

A duty of 33⅓ per cent. on importations of musical instruments and clocks and watches in June would yield one-third of the figures quoted above less the duty represented by articles subsequently re-exported. But none of the above figures afford a guide to the amount of revenue that would have been obtained if the duties had been in force at an earlier date, as importations would obviously have been on a different scale.