§ 42. Mr. Nabarroasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware of the expansion that has occurred since 1946 in the exports of industrial internal combustion engines, excluding motor car and aero-engines, and the harmful effects upon further expansion caused by complications in manufacturers obtaining refund of import duties paid upon components; whether he has considered the memorandum submitted to him by the British Internal Combustion Engine Manufacturers Association on 29th August, 1951; and what steps he proposes to take to overcome the manufacturers' difficulties.
§ Mr. P. ThorneycroftI am aware of the expansion in the export of internal combustion engines over recent years; and that representations have been made by the British Internal Combustion Engine Manufacturers Association for increased facilities for obtaining relief from Customs duties in respect of imported machinery parts incorporated in engines for export. 1709 I have received no formal submission on this subject from the Association but the memorandum referred to, which was addressed to another Department, has been brought to my attention, and I am now considering it.
§ Mr. NabarroWould my right hon. Friend bear in mind that the exports of internal combustion engines during 1951 will aggregate no less than £35 million, and that that figure is capable of much further expansion, if this vexed problem of imported components can be overcome by my right hon. Friend and the two other interested Departments—the Treasury and the Ministry of Supply?