§ MR. HULSE (Salisbury)I beg to ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether his attention has been called to the seizure, and subsequent destruction, of large quantities of contraband tobacco and cigars; and whether any steps could be taken whereby all such tobacco so forfeited to the Crown might in future be distributed among the inmates of the Naval and Military Hospitals, instead of being absolutely wasted, as heretofore?
§ * MR. GOSCHENAttention has been frequently called to the seizure and destruction of contraband tobacco and cigars, and it was formerly the practice to sell them. But this practice was abandoned owing to representations that the smuggled tobacco thus sold displaced a corresponding amount entered for home consumption and injured the honest trader. A similar objection would apply to distributing seized tobacco to the inmates of the Naval and Military Hospitals. But I am bound to say it is a matter not entirely unworthy of consideration.