§ MR. T. M. HEALY (Louth, N.)I beg to ask Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that a deputation, comprising the largest manufacturers in the tobacco trade in Great Britain and Ireland, waited on the Chairman of Inland Revenue to protest against the abandonment of the Budget proposal to limit the use of oil in the manufacture to 3 per cent.; whether he is aware that honest makers, employing only as little oil as necessity demands, are injured by the character and style of their goods being imitated by a product in which as much as 18 per cent. of oil is introduced as an adulterant; and as this practice injures the manufacturer and causes a loss to the revenue to the extent of 6d. to 7d. per pound, would he, if he received an assurance that such a measure would not be objected to, con-sent to reintroduce this session the safe-guards which he originally proposed.
§ THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUER (Sir M. HICKS BEACH,) Bristol, W.My attention has been called to the circumstances referred to by the hon. Member, and although the figures given by him are those of an extreme and, I hope, quite an exceptional case, yet the matter is one of undoubted importance to the interests alike of the revenue, of the consumers of tobacco, and of the tobacco trade. I proposed a clause to deal with the matter while the Finance Act of this year was passing 273 through the House, but did not press it, as objection was taken on the ground of insufficient notice to the trade. If I received such an assurance as the hon. and learned Member suggests I should be glad to renew the proposal this session; but, in default of such an assurance, I feel myself bound by the pledge of the Leader of the House against proceeding with any fresh opposed business this year.
§ MR. T. M. HEALYWill the right hon. Gentleman postpone the Bill to enable us to ascertain if there is any really substantial objection?
§ SIR M. HICKS BEACHI will consider that.