§ 33. Mr. LUNNasked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury what was the value per head of live cattle imported into the United Kingdom from the Irish Free State in the week ended 13th May, 1933, in the following categories: live cattle under six months old; six months old, but under 15 months old; 15 months old, but under two years old; two years old and upwards, not being cattle known as mIncers; live sheep and live lambs; and other animals?
§ Mr. HORE-BELISHAThe particulars required could not be extracted from the statistics of imports generally without a disproportionate expenditure of labour.
§ Mr. LUNNThen on what did the hon. Gentleman base his calculations when he made the statement to the House that this change made no difference in the return on the duty, from what it would have been for a 40 per cent. ad valorem duty?
§ Mr. HORE-BELISHAThat is quite a different question. My hon. Friend has asked for particulars for one week. It would be very difficult to sort them out.
§ Mr. MAXTONCan the Financial Secretary not give us the general facts which the hon. Member for Rothwell (Mr. Lunn) desires, apart from the limitation of one week?
§ Mr. HORE-BELISHAI think it might be possible to give them for a longer period in the course of time if my hon. Friend will put down a further question, but it is not possible to extract the particulars for one week without great difficulty.
§ Mr. LUNNIf the hon. Gentleman has not this information, is it not then the fact that he misled the House the other night in his statement that there was no difference in result between the two forms of duty?
§ Mr. HORE-BELISHANo, Sir, I should never mislead the House. The House was asked to approve an Order changing one procedure for another, and there is no appreciable difference, in the amount of the respective duties, as we are advised by the most competent experts on the subject.
§ Mr. SPEAKERLieut.-Colonel Heneage.
§ Mr. MAXTONMay I ask a further question? Is the hon. Gentleman aware that the House granted that concession very readily on his statement that it was merely a technical change, and that up to now he has not given us, in reply to questions, any reason to believe that it is purely a technical change?
§ Mr. HORE-BELISHAI think there must be some misapprehension. The House of Commons was invited to approve an Order which changed ad valorem duties into specific duties. I gave the reasons why that change was to be made. Before we proposed to make that change we took advice from those competent to express an opinion upon the subject, and I am advised that the duties are, roughly, on an equality.
§ Captain Sir WILLIAM BRASSOn a point of Order, Mr. Speaker. Are hon. Members entitled to continue discussing this matter when you have already called the next question?
§ Mr. SPEAKERThe hon. and gallant Member must allow me to exercise my discretion.