§ 56. Mr. MACKINDERasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if the Lace Import Duty is being charged upon homemade crochet work sent by the maker abroad as presents to relatives and friends in Great Britain?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLLace Duty is charged on imported crochet lace, however made, but not on other forms of crochet work. There is no exemption of presents as such from Customs duty, and I would refer the hon. Member to the answer given on the 17th December last on this point to the hon. Member for Huddersfield.
§ Mr. MACKINDERIf I bring the right hon. Gentleman evidence that tax has been charged on home-made crochet work 836 made from yarn as thick as string, will he remit the taxation, and give instructions that it shall always be remitted?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLI should like to see the premises established before I attempt to draw a conclusion from them.
§ Mr. MACKINDERDoes the Chancellor suggest seriously that home-made crochet work sent as a present to a friend in this country is in competition with the Nottingham lace trade?
§ Miss WILKINSONWill the Chancellor of the Exchequer tell us what kind of crochet work it is which could not be defined as lace?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLObviously, that is a question on which I should have to have the opportunity of consulting the experts.