§ MR. WILLIAMSON (Elgin and Nairn)asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, after receiving the deputation that waited on him on the previous day, he had come to any conclusion as to the advisability of granting a rebate on existing stocks of duty-paid sugar, or of postponing for a few weeks the reduction of the duty so as to allow such stocks to be disposed of.
§ MR. LLOYD-GEORGEI have received a number of deputations on these two points, and after careful considera- 1328 tion of the arguments and figures submitted I have come to the conclusion that, having regard to the admitted benefit that will result to the trade as well as to the consumer from the decrease of the sugar tax, and to the loss to the revenue that would follow a rebate on existing stocks, I should not be justified in sanctioning any rebate. An extension of the time would cause such a dislocation to the trade that it would not be to the interest of the trade itself.
§ MR. HAROLD COXWhen the right hon. Gentleman removes the remainder of the duty will he give longer notice?
§ [No Answer was returned]