HC Deb 31 January 1939 vol 343 cc9-11
51 Mr. Craven-Ellis

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury (1) what is included as shipbuilding material which is imported duty free under the Import Duties Act; and is the drawback only given when a marine motor is supplied by an importer to a registered shipyard, or to any shipyard;

(2) whether he will publish a list of registered shipyards through which imported marine motors have the privilege of a drawback under the Import Duties Act; and whether he will publish a list of importers who supply ship-, yacht- or boat- builders with marine motors and have the privilege of a drawback;

(3) whether, in the case of imported complete motor-launches, is the marine motor, which forms part, allowed to enjoy the drawback; and are all such motor-launches, even though not delivered to a registered shipyard, permitted to enjoy the drawback under the Import Duties Act?

The Financial Secretary to the Treasury (Captain Euan Wallace)

Under Section 11 of the Import Duties Act, 1932, imported goods of all kinds consigned direct to a registered shipbuilding yard for use in building, repairing or refitting ships in that yard may be imported free of duty under Part I of that Act. Further, goods already in this country which are brought to such a yard for use as aforesaid may receive drawback of such duty paid, provided that drawback is statutorily payable on that class of goods. I understand that practically all the recognised shipyards have been registered for this purpose, and no occasion has arisen for the publication of an official list such as my hon. Friend suggests. Provided the goods are received and used in a registered shipyard under the prescribed conditions, it is immaterial by whom they were actually imported. Motor-launches imported complete are chargeable with duty on their full value, including that of the motor. No order has been made under the Act granting drawback in respect of motor-launches, but drawback is payable on marine motors.

Mr. Craven-Ellis

May I have a reply to the latter part of Question 52, in regard to a list of registered shipyards?

Captain Wallace

Perhaps when my hon. Friend reads through what I am afraid is rather a long answer, he will see that the point is included.

Mr. Crossley

Does not my right hon. and gallant Friend realise that a large number of German marine engines are being imported at prices a long way below anything which can be quoted for British engines?

Captain Wallace

That is rather a wider question, which I would sooner see on the Paper.