HC Deb 08 May 1879 vol 245 cc1957-8
MR. POTTER

asked Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer, Whether the statement in the "Daily News" of the 5th of May is correct "that all import duties on grain have been temporarily suspended in Cyprus;" and, whether the Government is prepared to make this change permanent, so as to assimilate the fiscal policy of our dependency of Cyprus to that of the mother Country, and not to perpetuate in Cyprus the system of grain taxation now in force in Malta and Ceylon which tends to enhance the price of food in those islands?

THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUER

Sir, the statement is perfectly correct. All import duties on grain have been temporarily suspended in Cyprus; but Her Majesty's Government have not at present any intention of making a permanent alteration in this matter.