§
Motion made, and Question proposed,
That the Additional Import Duties (No. 2) Order, 1945 (S.R. & O., 1945, No. 696), dated 12th June, 1945, made by the Treasury under the Import Duties Act, 1932, a copy of which Order was presented on 13th June, be approved."—[Mr. Glenvil Hall.]
§ 9.0 p.m.
§ Mr. Peake (Leeds, North)Will the Financial Secretary give us a brief explanation of this Order?
§ The Financial Secretary to the Treasury (Mr. Glenvil Hall)This Order, together with the Order which the House has just approved, does a very simple thing. It restores the pre-war position so far as the duties referred to are concerned. The first Order, No. 692, Exemptions, deals with the classes of goods which are to cease to be included on the Free List. The second Order, No. 696, re-imposes the Additional Duties which were laid down in the various enactments including the Finance Acts of 1932 and 1933. It has been decided that it was better to restore the duties in this way rather than piecemeal as certain articles became decontrolled. There are still one or two categories of articles which had not been included; they are almost entirely confined to things that are needed for mili- 543 tary requirements and military stores. In the last Parliament the Chancellor of the Exchequer gave a definite undertaking that as soon as the war was over these duties would be restored, and these Orders implement that promise given, with the consent of all parties, during the last Parliament. I hope that with this brief explanation the House will give its approval to these Orders.
§ 9.2 p.m.
§ Captain Crookshank (Gainsborough)I am very glad to have had that explanation from the hon. Gentleman. Perhaps I may be allowed to congratulate him on his first speech as Financial Secretary to the Treasury and to assure him, from my previous experience, that it will not be his last. I am very glad to have had the explanation from him, because at the time 544 to which he referred I remember very well that the Chancellor of the Exchequer, with whom I was associated, did give a definite undertaking that when the war was over the status quo would be restored. I am very happy that the Government have seen fit to do so.
§ Question put, and agreed to.
§
Resolved:
That the Additional Import Duties (No. 2) Order, 1945 (S.R. & O., 1945, No. 696), dated 12th June, 1945, made by the Treasury under the Import Duties Act, 1932, a copy of which Order was presented on 13th June, be approved.
§ Adjournment
§ Resolved: "That this House do now adjourn."—[Mr. Mathers.]
§ Adjourned accordingly at Three Minutes past Nine o'Clock.