§ Mr. Arbuthnotasked the President of the Board of Trade to make a statement about the recommendation by the Wilson-Smith Committee on the Duty-Free Entry of Machinery, in favour of the extension of the duty-free licensing provisions to plant.
§ Mr. P. ThorneycroftYes. I announced on the 29th July last year in reply to my hon. Friend that the Government proposed to explore this matter further with the Consultative Committee as soon as it was appointed. After a full examination of the matter, the Government have now decided, in the light of the advice received from the Committee, that, on a balance of the practical considerations involved, there is not a case in the national interest for extending the duty-free licensing arrangements to plant. Accordingly they are not proceeding with this recommendation of the Wilson Smith Committee.