HC Deb 20 December 1962 vol 669 cc1429-30
30. Mr. Lipton

asked the President of the Board of Trade how many firms are licensed to import Swiss watches; when they were selected; and on what basis the selection was made.

Mr. Erroll

In 1962, 304 firms were licensed to import Swiss watches costing less than £5 c.i.f. They were selected in 1946 on the basis of their imports of watches from all sources in the year 1st September, 1938, to 31st August, 1939.

Mr. Lipton

Is it not quite ridiculous for the right hon. Gentleman to maintain this antiquated restriction, imposed in 1946 on the basis of imports in the year before the last war? When will the Government abandon this last relic of war-time controls and give effect at long last to their slogan, "Set the people free"?

Mr. Erroll

The longer an import control lasts the more unrealistic the basis of the allocation of import licences appears to be. Unsatisfactory as it may seem, however, this is the best method that can be devised while it remains necessary to control the import of watches costing less than £5.

Mr. Lipton

Is the right hon. Gentleman willing to hear any further representations about how to get rid of this control and to substitute a more satisfactory method?

Mr. Erroll

Any fresh proposal would have to satisfy existing licence holders as well as newcomers to the trade.

Mr. Elwyn Jones

Can the right hon. Gentleman give an estimate of the percentage of Swiss watches sold in this country and smuggled in without payment of Customs duty?

Mr. Erroll

Smuggled items do not appear in Board of Trade returns.