§ Captain ERSKINE-BOLSTasked the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been called to the fact that galloons imported into this country at the present time are being subjected not only to the Silk and Artificial Silk Duties but also to the 50 per cent. ad valorem duty imposed under the Abnormal Importations (Customs Duties) (No. 3) Order, 1931, on tissues in the piece made wholly or partly of cotton, with the result that, the total effective duty on such galloons is over 80 per cent.; whether it is his intention that this double duty should be paid on such goods; and, if not, whether he will arrange to take immediate steps to rectify the matter?
§ Mr. RUNCIMANMy attention has been called to the circumstances to which the hon. and gallant Member refers. The Abnormal Importations (Customs Duties) Act, under which the Order imposing a 50 per cent. duty upon tissues in the piece, wholly or partly of cotton, was made, expressly provided that any duty chargeable thereunder upon any article should be charged in addition to any other duties of Customs chargeable on that article. My hon. and gallant 571W Friend will, however, be aware that one of the first duties of the Import Duties Advisory Committee will be to review these Abnormal Importation Duties.