§ Mr. SMEATON (Stirlingshire)To ask Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that many jam manufacturers who make their jam from fresh fruit have already paid the full duty of 4s. 2d. per cwt. on their stocks of sugar; that their sugar is specially prepared and is not suitable for re-sale to the grocery trade, and must therefore remain in stock till the beginning of the strawberry season in July; that meanwhile the competing manufacturers who make their jam from pulped fruit are now able to buy their sugar with the 1s. 10d. duty and are advertising a reduction of 1s. per cwt. on all jam and marmalade; and that thus the manufacturers of fresh-fruit jam are placed at a disadvantage in the market with the makers of pulped-fruit jam; and whether under the circumstances he can see his way to grant a rebate on their stocks of sugar to these jam manufacturers.
§ Mr. ALEXANDER CROSS (Glasgow, Camlachie)To ask Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will take steps to allow a rebate of duty upon stocks of foreign fruit and preserves in store at the prescribed date, in public warehouses as well as in private warehouses, upon which the Sugar Duty has been paid at the existing rate, in view of the effect of the reduction upon persons left with stocks.
(Answered by Mr. Lloyd-George.) Perhaps I may be allowed to answer this Question and that of the hon. Member for the Camlachie Division of Glasgow together. I have nothing to add to the statement which I made to the House on this subject on Thursday last.