§ MR. KEARLEYI beg to ask leave to move the adjournment of the House to call attention to a definite matter of urgent public importance—namely, the levying by the Customs authorities of duty on the bulk weight of articles containing sugar, instead of on the sugar itself.
§ * MR. SPEAKERThat can hardly be said to be a matter of urgency. It has already been stated that the Report of the sugar tax resolution is to be taken very shortly, and is to be followed by the Finance Bill. Therefore the question can hardly be said to be urgent.
§ MR. KEARLEYIt is a matter of extreme urgency. If the Chancellor of the Exchequer knew that he was going to levy the duty, my complaint is that he did not make his investigations beforehand. The matter is urgent in this way. Unless we get an assurance that this will be rectified, it is impossible that the trade can be carried on. The whole trade is demoralised.
§ * MR. SPEAKERThat is not a point of order. The hon. Member is making a speech on the question.
§ SIR M. HICKS BEACHI am as anxious as the hon. Member can be that the matter should be settled, and I will do my best to settle it.
§ MR. KEARLEYWhy did you not make your inquiries beforehand?