§ 34. Mr. CHORLTONasked the President of the Board of Trade whether, in view of the rapid fall in values and increase in amount of certain imports into this country necessitating another application to the Advisory Committee, a very long process for small and not well-organised industries, he will himself arrange to make such applications in the shortest time for such industries?
§ The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the BOARD of TRADE (Dr. Burgin)I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Lincoln (Mr. Liddall) on the 4th April.
§ Mr. CHORLTONIs there any intention on the part of the Department to assist in the preparation of cases for industries of a smaller type which have not got the organisation to prepare such cases?
§ Dr. BURGINThere can be no question of His Majesty's Government approaching the Import Duties Advisory Committee. The committee must follow the procedure laid down by this House in the Import Duties Act. If small industries or anybody else have any difficulty in presenting their case to the committee, it is only a matter of seeing one of the officers to obtain any assistance they may require.
§ Mr. HERBERT WILLIAMSWhat provision of the Import Duties Act prevents His Majesty's Government making representations to the committee?
§ Dr. BURGINThe plain terms of the Act.