§ Mr. Llewellynasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will reconsider his decision to allow free import of pencil sharpeners from France in view of the fact that the increase of Purchase Tax from 33⅓ per cent. to 100 per cent. on many kinds of pencil sharpeners has seriously affected the home demand for them and that full employment in this industry now depends upon the home market.
§ Mr. BottomleyNo. There has been no increase of Purchase Tax on pencil sharpeners, and I see no grounds for reimposing the restrictions on imports which were removed on 5th October last as part of a concerted effort to liberalise intra-European trade.