§ MR. SUMMERBELLI beg to ask the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies if he can state the amount of the excise, as distinct from the customs, duties on soap and matches manufactured in the island of Jamaica for the past three years.
§ THE UNDER-SECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE COLONIES (Mr. CHURCHILL,) Manchester, N.W.Under Law 26 of 1900, the excise duty levied on soap was at the rate of 10d. per box of 56 lbs., and under Law 12 of 1901, the excise duty levied on matches was 3d. per gross of boxes. By Law I of 1905, the excise duty on matches was raised to 6d. per gross of boxes. Law 6 of 1905, increased the excise duties on both articles for so long as the surcharge of 6 per cent. was levied on imports. Under this law a surtax of 2d. per box was imposed on soap, and 9s. 9d. per 100 gross of boxes on matches. The surcharge on imports was abolished on 27th February, 1906, when, of course, the surtax on the excise would cease also.