§ 43. Mr. Royleasked the President of the Board of Trade to what extent sewing machines are being imported from the Republic of Ireland; and whether they come under Imperial Preference rates.
§ Mr. Vaughan-MorganWith permission, I will circulate in the OFFICIAL. REPORT recent statistics of imports of sewing machines from the Irish Republic. Such machines are entitled to duty-free entry if they are manufactured in the Irish Republic and comply with other prescribed requirements.
§ Mr. RoyleIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that my information is that these machines are coming from Japan in a knocked-down state and being reassembled in the Irish Republic and re-exported to this country? Will he look into that aspect of the situation?
§ Mr. Vaughan-MorganYes. To qualify for preference, at least 50 per cent. of their cost of manufacture must be attributable to Commonwealth expenditure. Simple assembly operations alone would not entitle the machines to be treated as manufactured.
§ Mr. RoyleCan the right hon. Gentleman give the House an assurance that the situation is being watched in that direction?
§ Mr. Vaughan-MorganYes, I will certainly look into this matter.
§ Following are the figures:
| Imports of domestic sewing machines from the Irish Republic in recent years were: | ||
| — | No. | Value (£) |
| 1957 | 3,382 | 38,126 |
| 1958 | 11,369 | 162,946 |
| 1959 (January-March) | 7,326 | 112,091 |