HC Deb 12 March 1953 vol 512 cc139-40W
67 and 68. Mr. Holt

asked the President of the Board of Trade (1) who are the members of the Import Duties Advisory Committee; and when they last sat to consider whether reductions in any tariffs might be desirable:

(2) if he will request the Import Duties Advisory Committee to consider and advise on the desirability of reducing, as a first stage, all import duty scales to a maximum of 10 per cent. of the value of the dutiable imports, in order to achieve the best utilisation of United Kingdom resources and a reduction in the cost of living.

Mr. Mackeson

The Import Duties Advisory Committee ceased to function at the outbreak of war. By virtue of the Import Duties (Emergency Provisions) Act, 1939, the Treasury were empowered to act as from 7th September, 1939, without a recommendation of the Committee. The Board of Trade, as the Department with the general responsibility for the United Kingdom protective tariff, now carries out the functions of that Committee in considering applications both for increasing and reducing the duties of Customs imposed under the Import Duties Act, 1932. As regards the second Question, I would refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave him on 3rd March regarding the Government's policy on import duties.