§ Mr. Urwinasked the President of the Board of Trade if he will provide details of the quantities of worked stone imported from abroad in each of the years from 1960 to 1965; if he is aware of the effect of such imports on the indigenous natural stone industry; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. MasonRecent difficulties in the industry are due to changes in demand rather than to increased competition from imports. Import duty on worked stone varies from 5 to 30 per cent. according to type and in addition imports are subject to the 10 per cent. temporary charge on imports.
Imports for the years 1960–65 are shown in the following table:—
United Kingdom imports of worked stone Year Quantity Tons 1960 16,811 1961 18,112 1962 26,310 1963 25,616 1964 26,476 1965 20,085