HC Deb 12 February 1953 vol 511 cc589-90
34. Mr. Osborne

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much revenue has been raised by the abolition, last year, of the duty-free import of machinery not procurable in the United Kingdom.

Mr. Boyd-Carpenter

An exact estimate is not possible, but I can say that the amount is very small.

Mr. Osborne

Will my hon. Friend not consider allowing this machinery to come in free of duty where the products are largely for the export trade, because by taxing machinery as it comes in his right hon. Friend is putting up the cost of our exports?

Mr. Boyd-Carpenter

I am sure that my hon. Friend would not expect me to anticipate my right hon. Friend's Budget statement.