HC Deb 04 May 1971 vol 816 c324W
Mr. Dempsey

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will increase the import duty on printed matter from Europe in view of the shortage of work being experienced by printers in this country; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Anthony Grant

Applications for particular tariff changes have to be considered against the criteria laid down in the Imports Duties Act, 1958. I am considering an application for the imposition of a duty on brochures advertising foreign travel and holidays which are printed abroad to the order of United Kingdom firms. This application has been opposed by certain interests in the United Kingdom. My investigations have not yet been completed.

Mr. Dempsey

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what was the amount of money spent on importing printed matter from Italy during 1970; and how much of the total amount spent related to advertising matter for cigarettes.

Mr. Anthony Grant

£5.5 million in total; the import statistics do not distinguish advertising matter for cigarettes.