§ 71. Sir A. KNOXasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will consider the possibility of inserting in the Finance Act a clause making it possible to issue retrospective licences permitting the refund of the duty on specialised machinery, not manufactured in this country, which entered Great Britain in the period between the 1st March, 1931, when such duty was first imposed by the Import Duties Act, and the 16th June, 1931, when last year's Finance Act, Section 10, provided for the importation of such machinery duty free in consideration of the fact that the early importation of this machinery enabled canning firms, in particular, to employ several hundred extra hands who would otherwise have remained idle during last summer?
§ Sir A. KNOXWill the right hon. Gentleman consider the facts of the case? Is he aware that these films, owing to their keenness to employ labour, happened to import machinery in the only three and a-half months during which duty has been paid on that machinery; and would not this concession be a fair recompense to them for their enterprise in trying to cut down unemployment?
Mr. CHAMBERLAINI have considered that point. The suggestion which my hon. and gallant Friend makes would lead, I am afraid, to a good many other complications which, possibly, he has not considered.
§ Sir A. KNOXWill my right hon. Friend receive a deputation on the subject?
Mr. CHAMBERLAINI shall be very happy to receive my hon. and gallant Friend, if he likes to come and see me.
§ Mr. PERKINSIs it not the case that, as a result of the tariff policy of the Government, it is now possible to purchase such machinery in this country?