§ MR. D. A. THOMASI beg to ask Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer if a 261 bond has to be signed for two shillings per ton and the stamp duty on the bond paid in the case of bunkers which are not chargeable with the coal duty; if so, on what ground; and will he consider the advisability of discontinuing the practice of demanding a bond in this case.
§ *SIR M. HICKS BEACHUnder the standing regulations that have long been in force, bonds, in the penalty of double the duty involved, are required, on the shipment of dutiable articles, for use on board vessels proceeding on a foreign voyage, the condition being that the goods so shipped shall be used on board. Coal being now liable to an export duty, the same rule as to bonds has been adopted, in order to minimise the risk to the revenue by the lauding at a foreign port of coal shipped for bunkering purposes only. The bonds are liable to the usual ad valorem stamp duty under the Stamp Act, 1891. Moreover, a single general bond may be given, by which the necessity for an ordinary bond and payment of stamp duty on each transaction will be avoided.