HC Deb 30 June 1932 vol 267 cc2032-3W
Major CARVER

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury, whether he is aware that the import duty paid on foreign potatoes brought into this country since 1st January, 1931, and sold wholesale at £7 to £8 per ton, has been based in some cases on a value of £4 to £5 per ton; and if he can state what arrangements are made by the Customs and Excise authorities to ensure that the 10 per cent. ad valorem duty is calculated according to the full selling value of such imported potatoes?

Major ELLIOT

Potatoes were not chargeable with ad valorem duty prior to 1st March, 1932. If my hon. and gallant Friend will supply me with particulars of the cases he has in mind, I will have inquiry made. I may, however, point out that the statutory value for duty purposes is the value at the port of importation, and that this is likely to be less than the wholesale selling price.