§ MR. WHITMORE (Chelsea)To ask the Secretary to the Treasury what is the quantity of tobacco which has been seized as contraband during the last five years; and how has it been disposed of.
(Answered by Mr. Victor Cavendish.) The quantity of tobacco (including cigars) seized by Customs Officers during the five years ended 31st March, 1903, was 39,331 lbs. During the same period the seized tobacco, etc. was accounted for, as follows: Sent to the Royal Botanic Gardens (Kew and Edinburgh), 15,000 lbs.; Sent to the Criminal Lunatic Asylums (Broadmoor, Dundrum, and Perth), 9,800 lbs.; Stalks destroyed, 7,800 lbs.; Natural loss by drying, 3,800 lbs.; Cigars, etc. sold at Customs' sales, 2,500 lbs.; Total 38,900 lbs. The balance was in hand.