§ 70. Mr. Evelyn Kingasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if, assuming the current level of imports, he will estimate the total increased costs to British farmers of the 15 per cent. import duty.
§ Mr. MacDermotAs it is not yet known to what extent the burden of the temporary import charge will be reflected in the prices actually paid by British farmers, it is impossible to form an estimate.
§ 71. Mr. Evelyn Kingasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if the 15 per cent. additional duty is to be imposed on the import of Claas combine harvesters; and what will be the estimated yield to the Treasury of this impost.
§ Mr. MacDermotYes. It is not possible to predict precisely what effect 39W the temporary import charge will have on the volume of imports of specialised categories of machine. Any estimate of the yield of the charge from combine harvesters would be merely conjectural.
§ 72. Mr. Burdenasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if the 15 per cent. import duty surcharge is repayable when the goods are subsequently re-exported.
§ Mr. MacDermotYes.
§ 73. Mr. Burdenasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will instruct the Commissioners of Customs and Excise to repay to exporters the 15 per cent. import duty on cotton grey cloth which is brought to this country for finishing and is then re-exported.
§ Mr. MacDermotThe Finance Bill will contain provisions authorising the Customs to repay or remit the import charge on goods such as cotton cloth brought here for finishing and subsequent re-exportation, subject to the goods being satisfactorily identified by the Customs.
§ 74. Mr. Mathewasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will add to the list of exemptions to the 15 per cent. import surcharge goods made in the Republic of Ireland containing 25 per cent. or more British manufactured components or parts.
§ Mr. MacDermotNo.
§ 76. Sir R. Russellasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will exempt from the 15 per cent. import surcharge basic raw materials of the abrasives industry such as aluminium oxide, silicon carbide, raw bauxite clay, felspar, crystal quartz, natural cryolite, borax, talc, and shellac, most of which are not produced in this country and therefore have to be imported.
§ Mr. MacDermotOf the materials listed by the hon. Member, only aluminium oxide and silicon carbide are liable on importation to the 15 per cent. charge. This is because they are manufactured chemicals. Liability to the charge must depend on the nature and character of the materials and not on their availability from home sources.
§ Mr. Arthur Lewisasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that 40W some manufacturers, wholesalers, and retailers, who work on a flat percentage profit margin intend to increase their charges on the basis of maintaining their normal percentage profit on the additional 15 per cent. import levy; and, as this will increase the cost of living, if he will take steps to deal with this situation.
§ Mr. MacDermotI am aware that some traders price goods for sale by adding a percentage mark up to the purchase price. However, this is in practice conditioned by competition and, having regard particularly to the temporary nature of the import charge, such traders should consider carefully what their pricing policy should be.