HC Deb 02 December 1958 vol 596 cc1008-9
20. Mr. Holt

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will introduce an order to abolish the protective duty on all imported machinery.

Mr. J. Rodgers

No, Sir; but it is open to the users to apply for the removal of the duty on any definable class of machinery.

Mr. Holt

As these people still import the machinery although a duty-free licence is refused, is not this sufficient evidence to show that there is no alternative machinery available in this country, and as the Government want to increase capital investment, what is the point of continuing this tax and increasing the cost of it?

Mr. Rodgers

Duty-free directions can be issued for imported machinery costing £2,000 or more, if similar machines are not for the time being procurable in this country.