§ SIR HOWARD VINCENTI beg to ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he is able to state the amount of revenue obtained during the twelve months ending 30th June I897, by the Customs Duty of 1d. per pound placed last Session upon the importation of the foreign manufacture known as cocoa butter; if the duty has diminished the quantity imported in the period in question compared to the previous twelve months; and if he is possession of any 1452 information as to the effect the imposition of the duty has had upon the home manufacture of butter from the cocoa bean for confectionery and other purposes?
§ THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUER (Sir MICHAEL HICKS BEACH,) Bristol, W.The revenue obtained by this duty has amounted to £3,004 from August 7, 1896, the date on which the duty took effect, to June 30. There are no statistics of the importations of cocoa butter prior to the imposition of the duty, but so far as can be ascertained by inquiry of the trade the quantity of foreign cocoa butter imported has increased rather than diminished, probably owing to the fact that the entire business of the manufacture of cocoa and chocolate has been in a very active condition during the last eight months.