MR. E. PRICE (Norfolk, E.)I beg to ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether his attention has been directed to statements made by The Cigar and Tobacco World, to the effect that by enforcing an old Statute (26 Vict., c. 7), which has remained in abeyance for 30 years, and which provides that no drawback can be allowed on exported tobacco of British manufacture which contains a greater quantity of inorganic matter than 22 per cent., the Board of Customs have put a stop to the export of British cigars, which was returned last year at over £112,000; whether it is not a fact that tobacco leaf from which cigars are manufactured contains more than 22 per cent. of inorganic matter; and whether, in the interests of an important British industry, he will at once give instructions to revert to the practice which has hitherto been in vogue pending the repeal of the Statute in question?
§ SIR W. HARCOURTThe Statute in question has always been in force. The only difference is that cases in which the cigars presented for drawback have contained inorganic matter and sand to an extent exceeding the limit prescribed by the Statute have occurred in considerable number during the last few months, whereas before they had been very infrequent. I have satisfied myself that some amendment of the law is desirable in the interests of the trade, and in the next suitable Bill a clause will be inserted 946 legalising the grant of a reduced amount of drawback in such cases. Pending such legislation, I have no power to suspend the operation of the Act.