§ 40. Mr. R. C. MORRISONasked the President of the Board of Trade what proportion of the recent advance in retail prices of shoes is due to the Additional Import Duties Order on box, willow calf, and certain other dressed leather?
§ Mr. RUNCIMANI am informed that the advance in boot and shoe prices is not uniform or general. The classes of leather to which the recent Order applies account for only a small part of the consumption of leather by boot and shoe manufacturers and substantial supplies of home-produced leather of these classes are available. The amount of the increase in duty on foreign leather would be equivalent to about 3d. on a pair of shoes of average grade in which such leather is used.
§ Mr. LEACHWill the right hon. Gentleman assure us, in view of his honourable past, that he will discourage the Advisory Board from constantly imposing new duties and putting up prices to the consumers of this country?
§ Mr. LYONSIs it not a fact that this addition was made by the Tariff Advisory Committee after having listened to the representations from the trade concerned?
§ Mr. A. V. ALEXANDERIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that since the Order was issued, pricer of boots and shoes have advanced all round from 6d. to 1s. per pair?
§ Mr. RUNCIMANI have already pointed out in the answer that the increase in the duty on leather is equivalent to about 3d. on the price of a pair of shoes.