§ MR. STACPOOLEsaid, in the absence of his right hon. and gallant Friend (Colonel French), he would beg to ask Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer, If he 1479 will permit on any and on what terms the cultivation of tobacco in Ireland?
§ THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUERSir, the subject has been frequently inquired into, and I am sorry to say with results adverse to the feeling that prompted the Question of the right hon. and gallant Gentleman. It is certainly a very injudicious thing to prohibit any of Her Majesty's subjects from engaging in any industry they may think proper; but, even assuming that the soil and climate of Ireland are suitable to the growth of tobacco —which I do not believe to be the case —I am afraid that it would be impossible, with the view of maintaining the large revenue derived from tobacco, to permit such cultivation, except under such restriction of Excise as would render it unprofitable. It is better, in my opinion, to let the matter stand as it is, because the £7,000,000 derived from the tobacco duty is now collected in a most unobjectionable manner.