§ Commander Courtneyasked the Secretary of State for Industry, Trade and 235W Regional Development why the import of plastic-topped, cork bottle-stoppers is allowed free of duty, whereas a 10 per cent. duty is imposed on the plastic tops if imported separately; and how many cork bottle-stoppers with rubber tops have been imported into the United Kingdom since 1st November, 1961.
§ Mr. du CannThe import duty on both plastic topped cork stoppers and on plastic tops was 10 per cent. until 1st November, 1961. The duty on the stoppers was removed from that date by the Import Duties (General) (No. 7) Order, 1961. The removal was the consequence of a tariff application from the Cork Trade Association, who had not appreciated that the tariff definition agreed with them of the types of cork stopper on which the duty would be removed included plastic topped cork stoppers. The Association have subsequently applied for the duty on such stoppers to be restored and an announcement of the result of this application is likely to be made this month. Imports of rubber-topped cork stoppers are not separately distinguished in the trade returns.