§ MR. KIMBER (Wandsworth)I beg to ask the Secretary to the Treasury, with reference to the desire of London wharfingers to be allowed to blend tea in bond for Home consumption, which the Treasury have declined to sanction on the ground of the large increase or cost of superintendence involved, whether the Treasury have since received an intimation that merchants are quite prepared to pay any fair sum to cover the cost of any extra work thrown on the Customs; and, if so, whether such an offer would alter the conclusions of the Treasury?
§ THE SECRETARY TO THE TREASURY (Mr. JACKSON,) Leeds, N.In answer to my hon. Friend, I have to say that the question of allowing the blending of tea in bond has been most carefully considered; and I am advised that if allowed the expense of supervision would be considerable. It is difficult to see how, if the privilege were allowed at one bonded tea warehouse, it could be refused at any other bonded tea warehouse. The information which comes to me tends to show that it is by no means clear that there is any general or unanimous opinion among tea merchants and dealers in London and in the country that the privilege, if granted, would be so advantageous to the traders as to warrant the very considerable expenditure which would be involved. I do not, therefore, at present feel justified in acceding to the memorial which has been received from one warehouse.