§ MR. MACFARLANEasked Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer, If he will consent to the appointment of a Select Committee of this House to inquire into the whole question of the duties now levied upon tobacco imported into the United Kingdom?
THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUER (Mr. CHILDEES)In reply to the hon. Gentleman, I have to remind him that the Motion which he recently made on the subject of the Tobacco Duties only referred to the duties on tobacco, either imported in a manufactured state or unmanufactured in bond. This is a simple question which I will further consider before next year, having regard to the settlements made after very careful inquiry in 1863 and 1878. But in the debate on the hon. Gentleman's Motion the general question of the Tobacco Duties was raised by suggestions to introduce the system of ad valorem duties 1002 with a view largely to reduce the charge on unmanufactured tobacco. This charge now produces over £8,500,000 a-year, and I am not prepared to submit to a Select Committee such a question, considering the magnitude of the Revenue involved, and the absolute abandonment by Parliament of the system of ad valorem duties. My answer to the hon. Gentleman must, therefore, be in the negative.