§ 26. Mr. van Straubenzeeasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether the 15 per cent. import surcharge applies to imported nursery stock; and what proposals he has for alleviating the hardship caused to nurserymen and seedsmen.
§ Mr. MacDermotYes, but I do not expect this to cause any serious hardship to nurserymen and seedsmen.
§ Mr. van StraubenzeeDoes the hon. and learned Gentleman realise that that answer will be received with incredulity by those who are involved? Quite plainly, the hon. and learned Gentleman has grown roses in anger in his life or he would never make a reply like that. But does he realise what he is taxing by this surcharge the raw material by which these people make their living, and will he apply himself accordingly?
§ Mr. MacDermotI thought that rose growers grew their roses in love and not in anger. However, this charge represents less than 1d. on rose plants selling at more than 3s.