87. Mr. Vaneasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware of the difficulty in the way of industry working for the export trade whereby certain upper leather imported for manufacture and re-export continues to be subject to an ad valorem Import Duty 41W while the specific rebate allowed on re-exported leather goods and footwear under the Import Duties (Drawback) No. Order, 1932, is nil on some leathers and is in no case higher than 3d. per square foot; and whether he will amend this order so as to extend the rebate to cover all leathers and either change the basis of the rebate or raise the rate in order to bring it into line with present-day costs.
§ Mr. BottomleyRepresentations have been received from the Boot and Shoe Manufacturers' Federation about the existing drawback arrangements for footwear and discussions with the federation about possible adjustments are now proceeding. I cannot anticipate the result of these discussions.