79. Mr. Alexanderasked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury how many applications for increases of Customs duties on imported commodities are at present under consideration by the Import Duties Advisory Committee; and how many of these applications have not been advertised by the Board of Trade with a view to objections being heard?
§ The Financial Secretary to the Treasury (Lieut.-Colonel Colville)It is difficult to say at what point inquiries and representations from various quarters become what may be regarded as a definite application, and it would consequently be misleading to attempt to give a figure. With regard to the second part of the question, applications to the Committee are not advertised by the Board of Trade, but it is the practice of the Committee to advertise applications for changes in duties if and when they reach the stage at which it becomes appropriate to secure the views of other interested parties.
Mr. AlexanderIs it not a grave breach of the rights of the citizen for applications for new duties to be heard without objectors having an opportunity to be heard, and how can they have the opportunity if the applications are not advertised?
§ Lieut.-Colonel ColvilleI though I made it plain that they were advertised.
§ Lieut.-Colonel ColvilleI said that it was the practice of the Committee to advertise when the applications reached the stage at which it became desirable to let the interested parties know.