§ MR. KEARLEYI beg to ask Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that the Customs are assessing and charging the full sugar duty upon the gross bulk weight of fruits preserved in syrup on the assumption that the whole weight of the article is due to nothing but sugar, whereas the percentage present rarely exceeds ten per cent.
§ SIR M. HICKS BEACHDirections have already been issued to confine the assessment of duty to the quantity of sugar used in manufacturing the articles. Pending analysis the importer can obtain delivery of the goods on deposit of an amount sufficient to cover the probable duty.
§ MR. KEARLEYI beg to ask Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in assessing the duty on articles preserved with sugar, any steps are being taken by the Customs to distinguish between the added sugar and that natural 1316 to the article, and by what tests will such differentiation be made.
§ SIR M. HICKS BEACHThe Customs are taking steps to distinguish between natural and added sugar, and to confine the duty-charge to the latter. The distinction is arrived at by chemical analysis.