§ 2. Mr. Wingfield Digbyasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the total value of duty-free imports for education authorities and other public bodies for the last convenient year; what control he exercises on the necessity for such imports; and what further measures he is taking to encourage the purchase of British-made substitutes.
§ Mr. TavernePrecise figures are not available. But in the year ended 31st March, 1968, goods to the value of £11.8 million were relieved from duty on the grounds that they were to be imported for scientific research or the advancement of learning, art or sport, mostly by education authorities and public bodies Relief is only given after investigation by the Board of Trade and is not given where suitable British goods are known to be available.