§ MR. SUMMERBELL (Sunderland)I beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade whether, in regard to the plates and sheets of iron and steel consigned to this country from Germany and Belgium during the year 1907, he can state the amount of royalty per ton levied in each of the countries named; whether such 1046 royalties are paid to the State or the individual; if he can state approximately the royalty per ton levied in this country on similar articles; and, if not, whether he is prepared to obtain such particulars, and have some tabulated.
§ MR. CHURCHILLNo, Sir, I am not able to give the information desired, and I do not think it would be possible to define with precision in the case of particular articles, like those mentioned by the hon. Member, the proportion of the cost of production which may be due to royalties on the raw material.