HC Deb 12 February 1931 vol 248 cc590-1
99. Mr. ALBERY

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he is now willing to consider extending the date of the expiration of the import duties on packing and wrapping paper, translucent pottery, buttons, hollow-ware, and hops?

Mr. P. SNOWDEN

The answer is in the negative.

Lieut.-Colonel Sir FREDERICK HALL

Why?

Mr. ALBERY

Apart from any question of fiscal policy, would the right hon. Gentleman be prepared to consider this as a temporary expedient if it could be shown that it would assist employment?

Mr. SNOWDEN

I think it would be very difficult, in view of experience, to convince me that it would be of assistance.

Sir ARTHUR STEEL - MAITLAND

Would not the postponement of the repeal save the secrifice of some revenue which it is very desirable that the country should receive in the ensuing year?

Mr. SNOWDEN

I think that any sacrifice of revenue will be compensated by gains to the country in other ways.

Sir F. HALL

Would it be possible to prove to the right hon. Gentleman that it would have the effect suggested?

103. Sir C. RAWSON

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury under what authority a Customs duty of over 40 per cent. on the declared value was charged in respect of a parcel of woollen goods sent from Australia to Mrs. Florence Urquhart, of Hove?

The FINANCIAL SECRETARY to the TREASURY (Mr. Pethick-Lawrence)

I am making inquiries and will communicate with the hon. Member.

Sir C. RAWSON

How long will it take the hon. Gentleman to continue his inquiries, seeing that. I wrote to him upon this matter before Christmas?

Mr. PETHICK-LAWRENCE

Perhaps the hon. Member does not realise that I have been doing my utmost, but it was not until the 9th February that he supplied me with the information which enabled me to proceed with my inquiries.

Sir C. RAWSON

I do not wish to embarrass the hon. Gentleman, but is it not the fact that I have merely repeated the information which I gave him previously, with the addition of sending the receipt?

Mr. PETHICK-LAWRENCE

Until I had the information for which I asked—and I did not receive that until a few days ago—I had not the material which enabled me to complete my inquiries.