HC Deb 06 February 1964 vol 688 cc1307-8
2. Mr. Fitch

asked the Secretary of State for Industry, Trade and Regional Development if he will remove the import duty from the Reece button-hole machine.

The Minister of State, Board of Trade (Mr. Edward du Cann)

As the hon. Member probably knows, an earlier application for the removal of this duty had to be withdrawn because it was found impracticable to devise a satisfactory definition of the machines concerned. If this problem can now be overcome, I will gladly consider a renewed application.

Mr. Fitch

May I ask the Minister whether he is aware that that is the same sort of reply that I received from one of his predecessors about two years ago? Would not he agree that the present duty is unfair, in that a firm ordering up to four of these machines has to pay import duty, while a firm ordering more than four can get them duty-free? Surely that is discriminating against the small firm, and would not the Minister agree that some practical way should be found out of this difficulty?

Mr. du Cann

I hope so. While noting what the hon. Gentleman has said, I repeat that I am prepared to consider applications for duty remission on these machines subject to the criterion laid down in the Act of 1958 and to the published conditions. If they can be satisfied, I shall do what I can.