– in the House of Commons am 12:00 am ar 11 Awst 1947.
Viscount Turnour
, Horsham
12:00,
11 Awst 1947
asked the President of the Board of Trade if he has any statement to make upon the effects of the retaliation by the United States Film Industry against the new tax on United States films entering this country as being a violation of the Loan Agreement.
Hon. Members:
Where is the Minister?
Viscount Turnour
, Horsham
May I point out, Mr. Speaker, that the letter containing this Question was, as far as I know, delivered at the Board of Trade at the same time as the letter I sent to you asking for permission to put the Question, and, in the circumstances, as there appears to be no Minister present to answer it, shall I be permitted to ask it tomorrow?
Mr Douglas Clifton Brown
, Hexham
I cannot be responsible for the Minister. I received notice from the noble Lord and gave my assent to the Question. If there is no Minister here, I certainly think he may be permitted to ask it tomorrow.
Mr Herbert Morrison
, Lewisham East
May I say that I am exceedingly sorry? My right hon. and learned Friend the President of the Board of Trade is on holiday. [Interruption.] Even Ministers are entitled to a holiday.
Mr. Morrison:
That is a bit unkind since there is no suggestion as to how long he is going to be away. If there has been any slip-up at the Board of Trade in that there is no Minister here to answer the Question, I am very sorry and I will take the matter up.
Viscount Turnour
, Horsham
It may be that the letter may not have been delivered. I myself put it into the post-box, but I am not responsible for the Post Office.
Hon. Oliver Stanley
, Bristol West
May I ask a question on that? I understand that for this tax to be operative requires an affirmative resolution of the House. Could the right hon. Gentleman tell us when it is to be taken?
Mr Herbert Morrison
, Lewisham East
I have no knowledge. My memory is rather shaky, but it confirms what the right hon. Gentleman has said, and, if that is so, the House is protected, but I have no knowledge when the affirmative resolution will be taken.
Mr Douglas Clifton Brown
, Hexham
I believe that my office did not communicate with the Board of Trade. We usually do in these matters to make certain, but I think that perhaps the letter came in rather late. Mistakes do happen sometimes, I know.
Viscount Turnour
, Horsham
I think the letter was received at your office at 10 o'clock this morning, Mr. Speaker. I should have thought it would have been possible to answer a question in five hours.
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