Part of Orders of the Day — Finance Bill. – in the House of Commons am ar 30 Mehefin 1924.
I am very glad that the Government have decided to adhere to this Clause as introduced. I do not share in the view which has been expressed that the general motor trade will suffer severely as a result of the discontinuance of these duties. I say that for this reason: I look to our engineering trades before the War, and having regard to the large exports of engineering products, created in British factories by British labour competing against America and Germany in the neutral markets of the world, and having regard to our trade and the size of that trade, I think that experience shows clearly that British commerce, unfettered by State interference supported by British capital, with goods manufactured by British labour on a system of free imports, is able to stand successfully the competition of the world, and I, therefore, do not share the fears that have been expressed in formed Debates that the motor trade will suffer severely on account of the proposals of the Chancellor of the Exchequer. I am glad to see this duty removed, because it is another of the duties which were posed in the stress of the European War. I know that the Opposition have taunted the Chancellor of the Exchequer with the creation of unemployment as a result of his policy. But the Leader of the Opposition invited the decision of the country on the question of Free Trade or Protection, and when the votes were counted these duties were doomed the day after the Election. I am glad that my friends are co-operating with Members of the Labour party in sealing the fate of these duties, and in placing this trade on the same basis as other trades, and I have no doubt that it will be a successful trade in future.