§ SIR JOHN KENNAWAY (Devonshire, Honiton)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether the decision of the Government to tax stocks of spirits in the Lagos Colony at the time of the recent raising of the duty has been altered, and, if so, for what reason; and whether the Government intend to adhere to their decision with regard to this matter in the other West African Colonies and Protectorates; and whether he would be good enough to furnish a table of the imports of gin and rum into Lagos during each of the first five months of this year compared with the similar months of 1898, seeing that it is reported that there has been a large increase of the import of spirits into Lagos during the last few months.
§ THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE COLONIES (Mr. J. CHAMBERLAIN,) Birmingham, W.The proposal to tax stocks of spirits was not carried out in Lagos because the Acting Governor considered it preferable to raise the duty at once to 3s. per gallon, and I approved of this being done. In the Niger Coast Protectorate it was necessary under an arrangement with Germany to give one month's notice of any change in the duty, and, as it appeared that a large importation of spirits was taking place in anticipation of an increased duty, the proposal to tax stocks was carried out. In Sierra Leone and the Gold Coast the duties already amounted to or exceeded 3s. per gallon, and have not been increased, and there has therefore been no question of taxing stocks; but, if necessary, the principle of taxing stocks will be adopted. The number of gallons of gin and rum imported into Lagos was 508,091 in the first five months of 1898, and 626,218 in the same period of 1899. I shall be glad to forward the particulars to the hon. Member if desired.