§ MR. JOHN REDMONDMay I ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in pursuance of the promise he gave the other night to reconsider the question of the tax on maize, he is now in a position to make a statement to the House.
§ SIR M. HICKS BEACHIt maybe convenient if I make the statement now. The matter is one of very considerable difficulty, because, in the first place, alteration in the tax on maize must detract from the uniformity of the tax; and, secondly, the proposal to reduce the duty on maize by one-half involves a loss of £300,000 to the Revenue. But, on the other hand, I have been much impressed with the views expressed in the course of debate with regard to the expected effect of the tax in Ireland; and also with regard to its effect generally as a tax on the raw material of the dairying industry throughout the whole of the United Kingdom. No doubt, as the tax at present stands, the percentage rate is higher, though not very much for maize than for other articles. Therefore, I think it will be right and just to accept the Amendment proposed by the hon. Member below the gangway the other day, 981 and to reduce the tax by one-half. I shall move an Amendment for that purpose in the Bill this evening; and the Amendment will be one similar to the proviso inserted in the Finance Bill of last year with regard to the reduction of duty on molasses and glucose, by which, although generally the excess tax will he returned to those who have paid it, it will not be returned to those who have passed the tax on to their customers.
§ MR. JOHN REDMONDMay I be allowed to express our acknowledgments to the right hon. Gentleman for the concession which he has made? Of course, the right hon. Gentleman will understand that we in Ireland regard even the reduced tax on maize as a very serious grievance; and in no circumstances can we alter our attitude in reference to the Budget. But at the same time we acknowledge the spirit in which the right hon. Gentleman has met the claim put forward by us. It is one of the rare instances in which an alteration of this kind has been brought about as the direct result of argument across the floor of the House. For the concession the right hon. Gentleman has made—although it does not go so far as we could wish—I desire to express our thanks.