asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will explain the discrepancy between his estimated saving of £300 million by the imports surcharge and his revised estimate of £150 to £200 million; and if he will give a breakdown as between countries or areas.

The original estimate that the import charge would save imports at an annual rate approaching £300 million was largely speculative and was based on a rate of 15 per cent. The range of £150 million to £200 million reflects the reduction in the rate of the charge to 10 per cent. No answer to the second part of the Question is possible.