asked the Minister for Finance (1) if the previous duty of 33? per cent. on radio supplies paid for broadcasting expenses and left a surplus and (2) if he will state why there is no Imperial preference on radio apparatus and component parts.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Duty on Radio Supplies.
The receipts from the duty of 33? per cent. on wireless sets and parts imported into the Saorstát have been credited to the General Account of the Exchequer and have not been appropriated in aid or set off against the expenditure on the Broadcasting Service.
With regard to the second part of the question, the former duty was purely a revenue duty and there was no Imperial preferential rate. The adjustment that has been effected is designed to encourage the assembly of wireless sets and apparatus in the Saorstát and it is considered that the modifications afforded no reason for the fixing of an Imperial preferential rate of duty now.