§ MR. MUNRO FERGUSON (Leith, Burghs)To ask the First Lord of the Treasury whether he his aware that the trade in tobacco strips in the United Kingdom is entirely suspended in view of the Budget proposals, and that merchants are thereby involved in loss; and whether, in view of the necessity for concluding transactions which are now arrested, he will fix an early day for continuing the consideration of the Finance Bill.
(Answered by Mr. A. J. Balfour.) I am quite aware that great inconvenience has been caused to the trade by the prolongation of the Debates on the Finance 1223 Bill. I had fully hoped that a decision would have been reached on Wednesday last; but, unfortunately, that was postponed, and I may remind the hon. Gentleman that the postponement took place at his own suggestion.