§ Customs Acts considered in Committee.
§ (In the Committee.)
§ MR. CHILDERSsaid, the Resolution he had to propose referred to the Customs tariff in the Isle of Man. The House was aware that the Customs Consolidation Act of 1853 contained provisions by which articles could be introduced into that island at duties considerably less than those required in the United Kingdom. The proceeds of those duties were applied in the first instance to the civil government of the island, then £2,300 were applicable to certain public works, and after a payment of one-ninth of the gross amount for a 355 similar purpose, the balance went to the public revenue of this country. The Customs' revenue was something under£30,000 a year. The Government of the Isle of Man now proposed to Her Majesty's Government that the duty on certain articles imported into the island should be increased in order that a further expenditure might be made upon public works. It was therefore intended to raise the duty on foreign spirits to 8s. per gallon, on rum of the British possessions to 6s. per gallon, and on British or Irish spirits exported from a duty-free warehouse under bond in the United Kingdom to 6s. There would also be an increase in the duty on sugar and tobacco. These alterations in the tariff, it was estimated, would make an addition to the revenue of about £20,000 a year. The new arrangement would be that, after defraying the expenses of the civil government of the island and paying £10,000 per annum into the Exchequer, the balance would be applicable for public works. The proposition was subject to the approval of the Tynwald, of the Isle of Man. If so approved a Bill founded on it would be introduced. The hon. Gentleman concluded by moving the following Resolution:—
§ That, in lieu of the Customs Duties now chargeable on the articles hereinafter mentioned, upon their importation into the Isle of man, the following Duties shall be charged from and after the 15th day of March 1866 (that is to say):
| Spirits, viz.:— | £ | s. | d. |
| Brandy, Genera, and all Foreign Spirits, not being Liqueurs, Cordials, or Perfumed Spirits the gallon | 0 | 8 | 0 |
| Rum of the British Possessions, | 0 | 6 | 0 |
| British or Irish Spirits exported from a Duty-free Warehouse, under Bond in the United Kingdom the gallon | 0 | 6 | 0 |
§ Such Spirits not exceeding the strength of proof by Sykes' Hydrometer, and so in proportion for any greater or less strength than the strength of proof, and for any greater or less quantity than a gallon.
| Sugar, viz.:— | £ | s. | d. |
| Muscovado the cwt. | 0 | 3 | 0 |
| Sugar Candy, white or brown, refined Sugar, or Sugar rendered by any process equal to refined, Foreign or British the cwt. | 0 | 6 | 0 |
| Tobacco, viz.:— | |||
| Unmanufactured the lb. | 0 | 2 | 6 |
| Manufactured the lb. | 0 | 4 | 9 |
| Cigars the lb. | 0 | 4 | 9 |
| Wine per gallon | 0 | 1 | 8 |
§ Resolution agreed to.
§ House resumed.
§ Resolution to be reported To-morrow.