§ Mr. PENNYasked the President of the Board of Trade why licences are not now 1945W required for the importation of German paint-boxes containing paints of synthetic origin, which bring them within the Dyestuffs (Import Regulation) Act, 1920; whether he is aware that it was originally decided that licences were required; and, in view of the fact that it has been stated on behalf of the Dyestuffs Advisory Licensing Committee that licences are still required in respect of the importation into this country of all dry colours and pigments of synthetic origin irrespective of their percentage composition, can he see his way to restore the system of licences for the importation of paint-boxes in the interests of the home producer?
§ Mr. A. M. SAMUELIn so far as they contain paints of synthetic organic origin, paint-boxes are subject to the provisions of the Dyestuffs (Import Regulation) Act, 1920. But after consideration of all the circumstances relating to the importation of toy paint-boxes, and especially of the fact that in the cheaper classes of boxes the synthetic organic paint content is generally very small, it was recently decided to issue an open general licence covering the importation of all such boxes of a value not exceeding 6s. per dozen. I cannot hold out any hope of a modification of that decision.