§ 28. Mr. Tom Boardmanasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will give an undertaking that the Import Deposits Scheme will cease on 5th December, 1969, and will not be revived, so as to enable manufacturers using imported materials to prepare their costings and make their capital budgets.
§ Mr. Harold LeverThe Customs (Import Deposits) Act ceases to have effect on 5th December, 1969. As my right hon. Friend said on 22nd November when introducing this Scheme, it is not one 221 which could or should be kept in being for more than a limited period and I have nothing to add to that statement.
§ Mr. BoardmanMay we take it from that reply that the Financial Secretary is giving the assurance that it will not be prolonged? Does he not realise how critical it is to industry for its costings, quotations and investment plans to know that the scheme will come to an end after 12 months?
§ Mr. BarnettWill my hon. Friend publish his estimate of the effects of the scheme on imports and also perhaps publish his estimate of the amounts or the actual amounts received from all sources and the effect on liquidity generally?
§ Mr. LeverI will consider my hon. Friend's request, but I must tell him that it is not only predictions as to the future which can be bogus. Assessments of imponderables in the past can be equally unreliable.
§ Mr. Ian MacleodWill the Financial Secretary recognise that much has happened since last November and firm up his Answer by simply saying "Yes, Sir"?
§ Mr. MacleodDoes not the Financial Secretary realise that by giving that last answer he has injected precisely the note of doubt which he could so easily clear up and which will be disastrous if it is left?
§ Mr. LeverThe right hon. Gentleman is wrong in supposing that there is any doubt about the Government's position. It has been clearly stated.
§ Mr. BoardmanOn a point of order. In view of the unsatisfactory nature of the reply, I beg to give notice that I shall seek to raise the matter on the Adjournment.