HL Deb 26 July 1967 vol 285 cc1105-6WA
LORD BARNBY

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they are now prepared, with a view to increasing employment and assisting the balance of payments, to review and remove the anomalies in the present structure of import duties upon synthetic fibres; and in particular the fact that tops manufactured from synthetic tow carry a lower rate of duty than the raw material in itself, thus discouraging the manufacture and processing of tops in this country.

LORD WALSTON

Her Majesty's Government reviewed this question during the tariff negotiations in the Kennedy Round at Geneva which were concluded last month. They were mindful, in particular, of the difficulties which arise from the differences in the duty between tops manufactured from synthetic tow and the duty on the raw material. Accordingly, they undertook in the Kennedy Round to make a deeper reduction in the duty on synthetic tow than in the duty on synthetic tops. When the tariff changes are fully implemented, the difference between the rates of duty will be substantially reduced. The new rates of duty which have been agreed are bound against increase but if the industry wish to apply for a lower duty on imported synthetic tow, it is open to them to make an application to the Board of Trade.

House adjourned at one minute past midnight.