§ MR. CALDWELL (Lanarkshire, Mid)I beg to ask Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that molasses is used for cattle feeding, and that a duty of 2s. per cwt. on molasses means an increase of not less than 55 per cent. on the cost; whether he is aware that the polarisation of treacle is only 30; that many thousand barrels of molasses have been contracted for autumn delivery in Glasgow at £3 15s. per ton; and that an addition of £2 per ton of duty will make the article almost unsaleable; and whether, in the circumstances, he will reconsider the proposed duty on molasses.
§ MR. EUGENE WASON (Clackmannan and Kinross)I beg also to ask Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that, under the Budget resolutions, sugar, polarising at 76 per cent. of value, and costing about 9s. per hundredweight, is taxed at 2s. per hundredweight, while treacle, polarising at between 20 and 30 per cent. of value, and costing about 3s. 9d. per hundredweight, is taxed at the same rate, making the tax on treacle 4½ times greater proportionately than that on sugar, and 55 per cent. of its prime cost, and whether he will be prepared to reconsider the duty on treacle, having regard to the use made of it for cattle feeding and other purposes.
§ SIR M. HICKS BEACHStatements have been brought to my notice to the effect that certain refuse molasses are used for cattle feeding, and that some of these articles contain as much as 30 per cent. of sweetening matter. A revised table of rates on these and kindred substances is under consideration.
§ MR. LOUGHIf the polarisation test were applied to the best molasses, would it not justify much more duty than is inflicted now?
§ SIR M. HICKS BEACHMolasses is subject to a fixed duty.
§ MR. CALDWELLWill the right hon. Gentleman take this matter into his consideration?
§ [No answer was returned.]