§ MR. SCULLYsaid, he would beg to ask Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer, Would it not be practicable to devise some convenient mode of levying a duty upon Home Grown Tobacco, so as to admit its profitable cultivation in these Countries without loss to the Imperial Revenue?
§ THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUERsaid, he was sorry to say that, while he entirely recognized the importance of the subject and the principle on which the question proceeded, the Government had never yet seen their way to any plan for giving effect to the suggestion. It would be very desirable, if only for the purpose of giving satisfaction to the public mind, that there should be no absolute prohibition of the growth of any commodity in this country. He always had welcomed, and always should welcome, any proposal which purported to provide the means of raising Tobacco so as not to give a bounty upon the growth of it in this country, which would, of course, be hostile to the public interest. But hitherto all such attempts had failed. The plans which had been proposed had all proved unsatisfactory, and he did not think the best authorities were sanguine that any satisfactory plan could be proposed. He should be very glad indeed if his hon. Friend or any one else could solve the problem.
§ MR. SCULLYgave notice of his intention to move for a Select Committee to inquire into the subject in the course of the next Session.