Major BARNESasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that Messrs. Stephens Brothers and Company, 13a, Finsbury Square, E.C., made application on the 15th September, 1921, to the Dye Stuffs Advisory Licensing Committee for a licence to import a quantity of belzaldehyde; that on the 21st September they were directed to approach British manufacturers for this commodity; that on the 22nd September they replied that the British material was not satisfactory for their purpose; that on the 27th September they were asked to state in what 618W respects it was not satisfactory and to furnish evidence that the material would be utilised exclusively for silk making; that on the same day, the goods already being in London, they again asked for a licence; that on the 28th September they gave the information asked for, and on the 30th September received a licence, No. L2,153 E, dated 30th September, 1921, for the goods; that on the presentation of this to the Customs House, London, they were not able to obtain possession of the goods, and on the 28th October acquainted the secretary of the Dye Stuffs Advisory Licensing Committee of that fact, and on the 31st October were advised that the Licensing Committee could not intervene; whether Messrs. Stephens Brothers are now asked to pay 33⅓ per cent. tax on this material; and whether he is prepared to take any action to enable this firm to obtain these goods without the additional costs?
§ Sir P. LLOYD-GREAMEI am having inquiries made into this case, and I will inform the hon. Member of the result.