HC Deb 13 December 1960 vol 632 cc194-5
22. Mr. Holt

asked the President of the Board of Trade if, in order to help the victims of flood disaster, he will remove the 42 per cent. import duty on carpets and the 17½ per cent. import duty on furniture.

Mr. Erroll

No, Sir.

Mr. Holt

Why not?

Mr. Erroll

Because there are adequate supplies of home-produced material.

Sir J. Duncan

Would my right hon. Friend agree that a far better way to supply the victims of the floods with new carpets would be to get them through Dundee and Kidderminster?

Mr. Nabarro

That is just what I was going to say.

Mr. Holt

Would the Minister not Agree that for manufacturers in this country to take advantage of the distressing conditions resulting from the floods to secure a fortuitous boost in the sales of their carpets is monstrous?

Mr. Erroll

I do not see that they are taking any advantage of the duties, because it is their mission in life to sell carpets. I hope that they succeed in doing so.

Mr. Holt

Cannot the carpet manufacturers be asked the reduce their prices by 42 per cent.?

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