§ 32. Mr. Shepherdasked the President of the Board of Trade, what is the present rate of duty upon phthalic anhydride entering this country; what is the domestic quantity price in the United Kingdom as compared with the domestic quantity price in Germany; and what percentage of the total demand in the United Kingdom is being met by domestic producers.
§ Mr. RedheadThe full rate of duty is 33⅓ per cent. and I estimate that about 90 per cent. of demand is being met by domestic producers: I have no reliable information about prices fixed in private transactions either here or in Germany.
§ Mr. ShepherdIs it not a fact that the price in this country is materially higher than that prevailing on the Continent? As many manufacturers have been taking 10 per cent. of the home-produced goods at a considerable disadvantage, will the hon. Gentleman consider waiving the duty for a temporary period?
§ Mr. RedheadApplication has been made for a permanent reduction in the duty. The applicants have been told that we think it best to await the outcome of very difficult negotiations in the chemical field on the Kennedy Round.