HC Deb 05 May 1903 vol 121 c1371
MR. DELANY (Queen's Co., Ossory)

I beg to ask Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will arrange that millers who hold stocks of imported grain, or the products thereof, on the 1st July, upon which duty has been paid by themselves or others, shall be allowed a refund of the duty.

* THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUER (Mr. RITCHIE, Croydon)

I am afraid there would be great difficulty about a refund of duty such as the hon. Member suggests. But I am very anxious to take every means of preventing hardship to the trade. I have therefore granted an unusually long period of notice, and given permission for the bonding of dutiable goods within that period. I have also instructed the Customs to make the operation of bonding easy and cheap in every possible way, and I propose, with the consent of the House, to remit on this occasion the ¼per cent. warehousing charge. Other measures in this connection are also under consideration.