46. Captain BENNasked the Prime Minister whether the Government has yet come to any decision as to the Lace Report; and whether his statement that the only avenue open to industries seeking the protection of a duty is the Safeguarding of Industries Act will preclude the imposition of a duty for the protection of any industry which does not conform to the terms of the White Paper?
§ The PRIME MINISTERI regret I am not yet in a position to announce a definite decision; but I will certainly see that a decision is announced at such a time as not to preclude the insertion of the necessary Clause or Clauses in this year's Finance Bill in the event of the recommendation of the Committee being accepted. I may add that I should not regard the imposition of a duty in this case as being in conflict with any undertaking given by His Majesty's Government.
Captain BENNArising out of the latter part of the reply, what does the right hon. Gentleman mean by saying that there is only one avenue, and yet showing many other avenues which can be entered?
§ The PRIME MINISTERI should have said that, if a decision was taken to give effect to the Report of this Committee, that, surely, would be the avenue.
Captain BENNDoes the right hon. Gentleman mean that the conditions laid down in the White Paper are the conditions to which an industry must conform if it is to have the duty?
§ The PRIME MINISTERI think that that is a matter whicih would be well 2014 worthy of debate, if a Debate ensued, on our making the recommendations.