§ 14. Mr. RHYS DAVIESasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that the Chrysler Motor-car Corporation, who manufacture Chrysler, Dodge, Plymont and De Soto cars in Detroit, United States of America, whilst owning a large factory in Windsor, Ontario, without a single manufacturing plant in the building, merely paint, assemble and pack their cars for export in that building; and whether he will make inquiries as to these importations, in view of the trading agreements between this country and the Dominion of Canada?
§ Dr. BURGINI have no official information to the effect stated in the first part of the question. I would however remind the hon. Member that motor-cars consigned from Canada are only entitled to the preferential rate of Customs Duty in this country if 50 per cent. of their value when leaving the factory is the result of Empire material and labour.
§ Mr. DAVIESIf I send the hon. Member some information on this very important point will he look into it?
§ Dr. BURGINI shall be most happy to do so.
§ Sir ARTHUR MICHAEL SAMUELIs the hon. Member aware that the 50 per cent. can be interpreted in such a way as to allow American exporters to get through the gap and send these goods into this country as though they are of Empire manufacture?
§ Dr. BURGINNo, Sir. I am not aware of that fact.
§ Mr. LYONSCan the hon. Member say whether any machinery exists for changing the required percentage in the content.
§ Dr. BURGINI think that question should be put on the Order Paper.