§ MR. W. EWARTsaid, he would beg to inquire of the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether the attention of the Government had been called to the understanding which existed at a former change in the Customs duties, that on the first appropriate opportunity the duty on currants would be reduced to the same amount as the duty on raisins?
THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUERsaid, his attention had been recently called to the subject, and he believed it was quite true that when the duty on raisins was reduced to 10s. an intention existed of reducing the duty on currants from 15s. to a similar amount; that, however, had been rendered impossible through the failure of the crops, and the consequent difficulties of increasing the importation so as to cover the loss to the revenue. However, he thought the subject was one fairly open to consideration at an opportune moment.