§ MR. STUART SAMUEL (Tower Hamlets, Whitechapel)I beg to ask the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware that under the Provisional South African Customs Union Convention, it is proposed to tax secondhand clothing, largely exported from the East End of London, to the extent of from 150 to 400 per cent, as compared with a present charge of 10 per cent, ad valorem, less a preferential rebate of 2½ per cent.; and if he will represent in the proper quarter the desirability of a reduction in this duty.
§ MR. CHURCHILLThe Secretary of State is aware that the duty has been increased from 10 per cent ad valorem less a preferential rebate of 2½ per cent, to 2s. for each article of clothing. As the provisional convention has now been ratified by the Colonial legislatures, I do not consider that the requested representation would be likely to serve any useful purpose.