§ 12 and 14. Mr. LIDDALLasked the President of the Board of Trade (1) whether his attention has been drawn to the fact that the imports of internal combustion engines, to be used as prime movers, have increased from 632 tons in the first 10 months of 1933 to 1,953 tons in the corresponding period of this year; and when he proposes to take some action in the matter, and
(2) whether his attention has been drawn to the fact that the imports of agricultural machinery in the first 10 months of this year totalled 5,233 tons, as compared with 3,731 tons in the same period of last year; and if he can state when the Government intend to take effective steps to deal with this increase in importation?
§ Mr. RUNCIMANAny question of an increased duty upon the imported machinery in question is a matter for the Import Duties Advisory Committee in the first instance.
§ Mr. LIDDALLIn the event of the Import Duties Advisory Committee doing nothing in the matter, what steps does the right hon. Gentleman propose to take?
§ Mr. RUNCIMANObviously, there should be application made to the Import Duties Advisory Committee before I can answer that question.
§ Mr. HANNONHas an application been made by the agricultural machinery industry?