§ 10.22 p.m.
§ The Minister of State, Board of Trade (Mr. F. J. Erroll)I beg to move,
That the Import Duties (Temporary Exemptions) (No. 2) Order, 1961 S.I., 1961, No. 280), dated 21st February, 1961, a copy of which was laid before this House on 24th February, be approved.The Order revokes the temporary exemption from import duty for the chemicals listed in the Schedule, which would otherwise be exempt from such duty until 1st October this year.The reason for this course of action is that these chemicals, with one exception, are now being manufactured in adequate quantities in the United Kingdom, and it does not seem right to deprive the United Kingdom producer of his tariff protection until 1st October. The one exception is cyclohexanone, which will only be in adequate production by 1st April. For this chemical, therefore, the exemption will not be withdrawn until then.
The known users of all these chemicals have been consulted, and there has been no opposition to the course which the Government now propose to the House. I therefore ask the House to approve the Order.
§ Question put and agreed to.