§ MR. EUGENE WASON (Clackmannan and Kinross)To ask the Postmaster General, as representing the Secretary of State for the Colonies, whether he is aware that the duty on beer imported into the Transvaal is more than double the value of the article, and is a prohibitive
† See (4) Debutes, cxv., 147.663 and not revenue producing tax; and will he state what is the duty payable on a cask of beer exported from this country and the duty on a cask of beer made in the Transvaal.(Answered by Mr. Austen Chamberlain, for the Secretary of State for the Colonies.) The duty on beer imported into the Transvaal is at present that fixed by Law 4 of 1894 of the South African Republic, which has not been amended in this respect. It is 7½ per cent. ad valorem, plus a special duty of 3s. per gallon. The imports of past years show that this duty has not been prohibitive. There is at present no Excise duty on beer brewed in the Transvaal, but Customs duties are of course levied on the raw material imported.