§ MR. J. S. GILLIAT (Lancashire, Widnes)On behalf of the hon. Member for East Bristol (Sir WILLIAM WILLS), I beg to ask Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer whether his attention has been drawn to the fact that in the East of London yellow chestnut leaves are largely used during autumn in the manufacture of British cigars; and whether he intends to take any steps to prevent the loss of duty consequent on operations such as those described in the paragraph?
§ THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUERThe Question contains a horrible suggestion which I believe has no better basis than a newspaper paragraph. Under the official supervision which exists at present no such operations as are there described could be carried on by any licensed manufacturer, and there is no reason to suppose that they are practised by persons not holding a licence. ["Hear, hear!"]