HC Deb 21 January 1954 vol 522 cc1200-1
51. Mr. Osborne

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he has yet received the report of the committee, under the chairmanship of Sir H. Wilson Smith. which examined the duty-free entry of machinery into the United Kingdom; and when he proposes to publish it.

Mr. P. Thorneycroft

I understand that the committee hope to let me have their report in a few weeks' time. I shall consider the question of its publication as soon as I have received it.

Mr. Osborne

Will my right hon. Friend ensure that the report is issued as quickly as possible after he gets it? Is it not absurd to tax machinery which is to be used to make exports, which will make the prices of exports higher at a time when it is becoming more difficult to sell them simply because their prices are already too high?

Mr. Thorneycroft

We must first await the report.