§ 28. Mr. Holtasked the President of the Board of Trade if he will give the total value of machinery imported into the United Kingdom for the year 1958; what percentage was eligible for consideration under the arrangements for duty-free entry of machinery; and what percentage was actually allowed into the United Kingdom duty free.
§ Mr. Vaughan-MorganThe total value of machinery and parts imported into the United Kingdom in 1958 was £166 million. I regret that it is impossible to estimate the percentage which was eligible for consideration under the arrangements for duty-free entry. However, the value of machinery in respect of which duty-free licences were issued in 1958 was £26.4 million.
§ Mr. HoltDoes this not mean that a large amount of machinery was imported into this country on which the purchaser had to pay a tariff? If the Government are serious about reducing the cost of living and the cost of manufacturing, why do they allow this tariff to continue?
§ Mr. Vaughan-MorganIf an application for a reduction in the rate of duty on a definable class of machinery is put forward, it will be considered in the usual way.