HC Deb 24 November 1936 vol 318 cc211-2
47. Mr. LEACH

asked the Chancell of the Exchequer how many orders have been issued to date by the Import Duties Advisory Board; and how many in all have been refused Treasury consent?

The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER (Mr. Chamberlain)

The Import Duties Advisory Committee is, as its name implies, an advisory body and does not issue orders. Excluding recommendations relating to the licensing of individual consignments of goods it has made 309 recommendations. Of these 309 the Treasury decided not to give effect to one, namely, a recommendation relating to electric lamps. In that case a voluntary agreement for the regulation of imports was reached.

Mr. LEACH

Would it be unfair to characterise the Treasury in this matter as a rubber stamp?

Mr. H. G. WILLIAMS

May I ask how many recommendations the Treasury is sitting on at the moment?

Mr. CHAMBERLAIN

If my hon. Friend means how many recommendations are still under consideration by the Treasury, I think there are about six.

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