§ MR. J. P. FARRELLI beg to ask Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will state how much was raised in tea duty in Ireland; how much was raised in clearances in London for the Irish market; and whether care can be taken that inferior teas are not placed on the Irish market almost exclusively.
§ SIR M. HICKS BEACHThe amount of duty collected on tea in Ireland in the year ended the 31st December, 1901, was £290,323. There is no information available at the Customs Department of the amount of duty paid in Great Britain on tea destined for consumption in Ireland, as once duty is paid and the tea cleared, the Customs Department takes no further cognizance of the goods. I have no power to control the 693 kinds of tea which may be placed on the Irish market.
§ MR. LOUGHIs it not true that the amount of tea consumed in Ireland is much larger than the quantity indicated by the figures?
§ SIR M. HICKS BEACHI have no doubt that it is larger.
§ MR. J. P. FARRELLWhy not have a graduated duty, so as to protect the Irish from the importation of inferior articles?
§ * MR. SPEAKEROrder, order.