§ MR. HADFIELDsaid, he would now beg to ask Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer if his attention has been called to the loss sustained by the Revenue in consequence of certain small Ports and Creeks where Goods for Bonding are not imported at all, and in other places to insignificant amounts, and the Duties collected are disproportionate to, and in some cases below, the cost; and whether he proposes to revise and correct the same?
§ THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUERNo one, Sir, in reviewing the comparative charges and receipts of the different ports of the country can fail to be struck by the extreme disparity; but at the same time my hon. Friend will allow me to say that it would be a mistake to estimate the charges of each of those ports by reference to the revenue received, because there are many services to be carried on by the Customs department, and there is the whole business of the prevention of smuggling. These services, of themselves, are unproductive, but must be sustained. But the whole matter is a fit subject for the consideration of the Government, as, indeed, I mentioned at an early period of the Session; and the Government are engaged in the consideration of what steps can be taken with a view to the diminution of those charges. The subject, however, is a very extensive one, because it connects itself with other questions as to the consolidation in certain instances of duties now carried on in different departments. All I can say is, I can assure my hon. Friend that I am very sensible of the importance of the subject, and very desirous 2229 to take measures in the direction to which he points, but it would be impossible to do anything in the present Session.