§ 52. Sir JOHN FERGUSONasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether his attention has been drawn to the great disparity in the duty charged on French gowns imported into this country by private individuals and those imported by dressmaking establishments for the purpose of being reproduced, the duty on the latter being eight times that of the former; and will he consider a reduction in the latter in order to encourage employment in an industry which, at the moment, is very difficult and depressed?
§ Mr. P. SNOWDENI am aware that different rates of duty are chargeable in the cases referred to, but I cannot anticipate the Budget decisions.
§ Sir J. FERGUSONWill the right hon. Gentleman do his utmost to consider sympathetically the very great increase which is taking place in the number of unemployed in this kind of business?
§ Mr. SNOWDENThe hon. Member is aware that this matter is dealt with in the Finance Bill, and I cannot anticipate future discussions.