Clause 5. — (Duty free use of sugar, etc.)

Part of Orders of the Day — Finance Bill – in the House of Commons am 12:00 am ar 10 Mehefin 1947.

Danfonwch hysbysiad imi am ddadleuon fel hyn

Photo of Viscount  Hinchingbrooke Viscount Hinchingbrooke , Dorset Southern 12:00, 10 Mehefin 1947

I do not know whether the Financial Secretary intends to speak at this stage, but, if not, perhaps this will give him the opportunity, because I think the Committee will be interested to know what is the meaning of this short Clause. It says that it is to make a certain class of sugar free of import duty At first sight, it would appear that whereas the housewife is desperately anxious to get more sugar for jam making and everybody desires to see a greater and freer import of sugar for human consumption, this Clause has nothing to say on that subject whatever, and allows certain manufacturers to get sugar for unspecified purposes. I would like to know what those purposes are what is the meaning of the words, "protection of the revenue"? How is the revenue protected if sugar comes into this country free of tax for use by manufacturers, and what is the meaning of the words, "giving of security"? Has it anything to do with defence? Is the sugar to be processed for the manufacturing of arms? The Committee will be interested to have some more explanation of this Clause.