§ Mr. Pardoeasked the President of the Board of Trade if he will take steps to update the horticultural import duties to prevent their erosion by inflation.
§ Mr. Anthony GrantThe erosion of thead valorem incidence of a specific duty by inflation is not a decisive reason for making a tariff change. Any application for a tariff change has to be considered against all the criteria in the Import Duties Act, 1958. Regard must be had to the desirability of maintaining and promoting the external trade of the United Kingdom, the desirability of maintaining and promoting efficiency of production in the United Kingdom, the interests of consumers in the United Kingdom, and our international obligations. We are, however, always prepared to receive applications for tariff changes, and to consider whether there is a prima facie case for a full investigation.