§ Mr. Radfordasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is satisfied that the facilities for relieving the export trade from Customs and Excise duty are adequate?
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§ Sir J. SimonThe export trade can be relieved of Customs and Excise duties through the arrangements which exist for the deposit of goods free of duty in bonded warehouses and for the allowance of drawbacks of duty in the case of both imported duly paid goods and British made goods manufactured from duty paid materials. The Treasury have power to allow new drawbacks or amend existing drawbacks on a very wide range of the goods which have come within the scope of the tariff since 1932. Since the outbreak of war they have been actively engaged in the task of adjusting rates of drawback payable under existing schemes so as to keep them in close relation to the average incidence of import duty. I believe that the existing drawbacks cover the greater part of the ground which it would be practicable to cover in this way; but I should welcome any new proposals which export groups, responsible trading associations, or other organisations principally affected might consider to be in the national interest. I would also refer to the announcement in my Budget Speech on Tuesday that it is proposed to improve the conditions under which drawback is payable on exported goods which have been subject on importation to Key Industries Duties. The necessary amendment of the law will appear in the Finance Bill.