§ 77. Mr. J. Lewisasked the President of the Board of Trade if he will take immediate steps to abolish the import duty on steel imported from Belgium, in view of the fact that the high price, plus the duty, makes it uneconomical to purchase the material.
§ Mr. BelcherMy right hon. and learned Friend has consulted my right hon. Friend the Minister of Supply, in this matter. Under present arrangements, supplies of steel for consumption in this country are imported from abroad, including Belgium, almost wholly on public account. For such imports, the duty does not enter into selling prices in this country. We are not, therefore, prepared to recommend its removal.