§ 51. Mr. LOUIS SMITHasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he can yet make any announcement with regard to the duties that are to take the place of those imposed under the Abnormal Importations Act in order that the trades which benefit by these duties may be enabled to consolidate their position as soon as possible?
§ The FINANCIAL SECRETARY to the TREASURY (Major Elliot)I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply given on Monday last to my hon. Friend the Member for Colchester (Mr. Lewis) of which I am sending him a copy.
§ Mr. SMITHWill the right hon. Gentleman bear in mind the great difficulties that the industries which benefit by these duties are having in settling forward contracts, not knowing whether the duties are likely to be modified?
§ Major ELLIOTThe hon. Member must realise that it was only on Monday that my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer received the recommendation from the Advisory Committee, and he is not yet in a position to make a statement.