§ MR. COURTHOPE (Sussex, Rye)I beg to ask Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer whether samples of American tobacco are admitted into this country upon the deposit of the duty payable; whether, and under what circumstances, such deposit is refunded; whether similar concessions have been made in the case of Colonial tobacco from Rhodesia; and, if not, on what grounds this preferential treatment is given to the United States of America.
§ MR. ASQUITHSamples of tobacco imported from the United States of America are admitted upon deposit of the duty payable (or on bond being entered into for the amount thereof) if brought by commercial travellers of that country. The deposit is refunded (or the bond cancelled) when the samples are re-exported or placed in a bonded warehouse. The concession has been granted in consequence of the Agreement between this country and the United States, signed at London on 19th November last. The Board of Customs have intimated to the Board of Trade that they see no objection to the extension to the British Colonies of the special facilities for clearance of samples brought by commercial travellers, if this should be considered desirable, provided that like facilities are granted there to commercial travellers from this country.