MR. PATRICK O'BRIENI beg to ask Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he can give any indication of the time when he will introduce the Budget.
§ SIR M. HICKS BEACHNo, Sir.
§ SIR M. HICKS BEACHI cannot say.
§ SIR JOHN LENG (Dundee)I beg to ask Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in anticipation of increased taxation, large quantities of dutiable articles are being taken out of bond; and whether he has considered any means of preventing the revenue of the next financial year being seriously discounted in this manner.
§ SIR M. HICKS BEACHConsiderable quantities of certain dutiable articles are being taken out of bond, and I believe that much of this is due to the reason suggested in the question. I am considering whether it would be at all practicable to check this by making increases of duty retrospective; but probably the best chock to gambling of this kind would be that those who have put themselves to considerable trouble and expense in this way should find themselves disappointed in their expectations of increased taxation on the articles taken out of bond, and it is by no means impossible that this may be the case.
§ MR. CHANNINGDoes the right hon. Gentleman contemplate introducing the Budget at an earlier date in order to achieve this object?
§ SIR M. HICKS BEACHI must decline to answer questions as to dates.