§ 5. Mr. KIRKWOODasked the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been called to the mass production in Germany and Japan of cheap motor cars and their intention to export them to this country; and what steps does he propose to take to safeguard the home industry?
§ Mr. RUNCIMANMotor cars imported from foreign countries are subject to a duty of 3⅓1 per cent. ad valorem. I am not aware of any plans for increased exports to the United Kingdom of motor cars from Germany or Japan, but if the hon. Member will send be any definite information on the subject, I shall be glad to consider it.
§ Mr. H. WILLIAMSWhat steps is my right hon. Friend taking with regard to increased importations from the United States?
§ Mr. KIRKWOODIf the right hon. Gentleman finds sufficient proof that the 33⅓ per cent. duty is not going to be sufficient to keep out these motor cars, what action will he take?
§ Mr. RUNCIMANIt would obviously be a case to go before the Import Duties Advisory Committee.
§ Mr. H. WILLIAMSWill my right hon. Friend say how the question of motor cars can be referred to the Import Duties Advisory Committee, having regard to the fact that the duty is imposed under another enactment?
§ Mr. LAWSONWill the right hon. Gentleman not give these people what they are asking, so that this industry can get the complete knock-out, instead of letting it die slowly?
Mr. MIACQUISTENIs it not the case that Southern Rhodesia has a duty of 60 per cent. against Japanese bicycles?
§ Mr. KIRKWOODIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that the motor industry is the best paid section of the engineering industry, and is he not going to make any attempt to protect it?