§ Major PROCTERasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that firms of cotton manufacturers are prepared to extend their plant if they can receive a, guarantee that the import duty on goods similar to those they manufacture and at present coining within the provisions of the Abnormal Importations Act will not be dropped below 25 per cent.; and whether, in the interests of employment in Lancashire, he will give an undertaking that orders made under the Abnormal Importations Act will not be 1046W allowed to lapse until a recommendation has been received from the Tariff Advisory Committee and acted upon by the Treasury?
Mr. RUNGIMANMy hon. and gallant Friend can rest assured that the considerations to which, he refers will be borne in mind before any change is made in the import duties imposed under the Abnormal Importations (Customs Duties) Act. It will be remembered that one of the first tasks of the new committee will be to consider such duties.