§ MR. COCHRANE (Ayrshire, N.)I beg to ask the Secretary to the Treasury under what Statute would the Treasury derive authority to issue permits for the growth of tobacco in Scotland; how much land might any individual cultivate with tobacco under such a permit; would the 1097 permit authorise the selling of the produce; and what amount of excise duty would be chargeable.
§ MR. RUNCIMANThe authority would be that of Section 1 of the Tobacco Growing (Scotland) Bill now before the House. Until that Bill becomes law it is impossible to deal with the remaining questions, which would fall to be dealt with under the regulations to be drawn by the Commissioners of Inland Revenue.
§ MR. COCHRANEAre there no regulations sanctioned under this Bill?
§ MR. RUNCIMANThe regulations will be issued under the Bill now before Parliament, and that cannot be done until the Bill has been passed into law.
§ MR. COCHRANEUnder what Statute is it proposed to give this permission?
§ MR. RUNCIMANThat is not the Question on the Paper, neither do I think this is an occasion on which we can debate what took place upstairs.
§ MR. COCHRANEThe Question is perfectly clear. Under what Statute do the Treasury derive authority to issue these permits in Scotland?
§ MR. RUNCIMANWe shall issue the regulations under the Bill now before the House when it has become an Act of Parliament.
§ MR. COCHRANEThen can you give any legal sanction at the present time?
§ MR. RUNCIMANIf the hon. Member will put the Question on the Paper I will answer it.