§ MR. LOUGH (Islington, W.)To ask Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he can explain the falling off in the amount of the Tea and Tobacco Duties in Ireland in the year ending 31st March, 1902, as shown by the Return, No. 256, just issued; and what amount does he estimate will be produced respectively by the income tax, death duties, tea, sugar, corn, and tobacco duties from Ireland during the year ending 31st March, 1903.
(Answer.) The falling off in the amount of the tea and tobacco duties contributed by Ireland in the financial year 1901–2 is due to the heavy forestalments of duty made by traders throughout the United Kingdom in the previous year in anticipation of an increase of those duties. The contributions by England and Scotland are affected by the same cause. With regard to the figures for the current year, I think it would be premature to attempt an estimate, more especially as I have recently directed some fresh inquiries to be made with a view to ascertain more accurately the proportion of the present contributions to indirect taxation in the three countries. —(Treasury.)