§ MR. HOGAN (Tipperary, Mid)I beg to ask Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in framing the Finance Bill, he will favourably consider the desirability of limiting the application of the increases of duty foreshadowed in his Budget proposals to foreign as distinguished from Colonial imports, thereby re-assuring those British Colonies that have been alarmed by the 47 possibility of their trade with the Mother Country being seriously disorganised and very prejudicially affected?
§ THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUERI understand that representations on this subject will be made to me by the Agents-General for the wine-growing Colonies, and also by a deputation, and of course it will be my duty to consider any arguments or facts they may bring before me. But at present I do not see on what ground the course suggested by the honourable Member could be defended.
MR. J. LOWTHER (Kent, Thanet)Can the right honourable Gentleman say how much he anticipates from the duties on Colonial wines?
§ THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUERI stated the other night that the Colonial wine trade was very small in comparison with the rest of the wine trade.
MR. J. LOWTHERWhat loss of revenue would be involved by excluding Colonial wines from the new duty?
§ THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUERI cannot say, without notice.
§ MR. GALLOWAYI beg to ask the First Lord of the Treasury whether, in view of the expressed adverse feeling in the Colonies, at a time when they are desirous of coming to closer relations with the Mother Country, the Government will reconsider their proposal to increase the duties upon wines imported from the Colonies?
§ THE FIRST LORD OF THE TREASURY (Mr. A. J. BALFOUR,) Manchester E.I understand that my right honourable Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer has already answered a similar Question to this, and I have nothing to add to his reply.