HC Deb 08 March 1927 vol 203 cc1015-6
6. Major CRAWFURD

asked the President of the Board of Trade why his Department is persistently referring applicants under Section 10 (5) of the Finance Act, 1926, for orders exempting key industry products from liability to duty under Part I of the Safeguarding of Industries Act, 1921, on the grounds that they are not made in any part of His Majesty's Dominions in quantities which are substantial, having regard to the consumption of the articles for the time being in the United Kingdom, to certain chemical manufacturers in this country who are not in a position to offer the products in question of their own manufacture: and is he aware that lactic acid B.P. is an example of the action complained of?

Sir P. CUNLIFFE-LISTER

Before an article can be exempted from duty under Section 10 (5) of the Finance Act, 1926, the Board must be satisfied not only that the article is not being made in His Majesty's Dominions, but also that there is no reasonable probability that it will be so made within a reasonable period. As regards the particular product mentioned in the question, applicants were given the name of a manufacturer who proposes to produce it in the near future, and is setting up the necessary plant for the purpose.

Major CRAWFURD

With regard to the first part of the answer, dealing with the probability of its being manufactured, is there a Permanent Committee of the Board of Trade which makes decisions as to probabilities?

Sir P. CUNLIFFE-LISTER

No, there is not a permanent Committee of the Board of Trade, but there is a permanent Board of Trade, and if a colleague of the hon. Member had been present to ask Question? I should have answered about that.

Mr. HARRIS

Would the right hon. Gentleman define more closely "the near future"? How many months or years?

Sir P. CUNLIFFE-LISTER

The "near future" means the near future, and the prospect is drawing rapidly nearer, because this firm have, in fact, ordered the plant, and the whole of the first consignment of the plant for the earlier process has been delivered and set up as one of the results of the Act.

Major CRAWFURD

That may be all right so far as lactic acid is concerned, but will the right hon. Gentleman go into the whole question?

Sir P. CUNLIFFE-LISTER

Of course, not only will I go into it, but I have gone into it, and every single application received has been dealt with on its merits and an Order has been made.

7. Major CRAWFURD

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he treats manufacturers who purchase imported chemicals of technical or commercial quality and purify them as being manufacturers of the purified or B. P. quality, the manufacture of which is protected under Part I of the Safeguarding of Industries Act, 1291; and, if not, will he direct his Department to grant exemption orders against all applications where such a position arises?

Sir P. CUNLIFFE-LISTER

No application has been made to me, under Section 10 (5) of the Finance Act, 1926, which involves consideration of the particular point to which the hon. Member refers. If, and when, such an application is made, it will be dealt with on its merits.