§ Sir P. DAWSONasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that whilst, as a result of the imposition of duties, machinery imports fell in 1932, in 1935 the imports have increased and have reached the maximum ever realised; and, in view of the fact that Great Britain imports, proportionally to her industrial importance, a far greater quantity of high-grade machine tools than either Germany or the United States, he will say what steps he proposes to take to encourage the production of high-grade machinery in this country?
§ Dr. BURGINAlthough imports of machinery increased in 1935 owing to greater industrial activity, they were below the level of 1931 and of earlier years. The Import Duties Act affords considerable assistance to manufacturers, and I understand that home production of machinery is increasing.