HC Deb 23 January 1902 vol 101 cc692-3
MR. J. P. FARRELL

I 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 BEACH

The 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 kinds of tea which may be placed on the Irish market.

MR. LOUGH

Is it not true that the amount of tea consumed in Ireland is much larger than the quantity indicated by the figures?

SIR M. HICKS BEACH

I have no doubt that it is larger.

MR. J. P. FARRELL

Why not have a graduated duty, so as to protect the Irish from the importation of inferior articles?

* MR. SPEAKER

Order, order.