§ Captain CLIVEasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he is aware that a firm of French cider merchants are advertising cider for sale by retail in this country; if he can state the quantity and value of cider of all kinds imported into this country in each of the last five years; and what Import Duty he proposes to put on to countervail the proposed Cider Manufacturers' and Dealers' Licences?
§ Mr. HOBHOUSEMy right hon. Friend is not aware of any advertisement such as is referred to in the question. The quantity of cider and perry imported in each of the last five years is as follows:—
| Value. | ||||
| Gallons. | £ | |||
| 1904 | … | 613,786 | … | 22,463 |
| 1905 | … | 385,044 | … | 15,188 |
| 1906 | … | 289,889 | … | 11,315 |
| 1907 | … | 191,142 | … | 7,829 |
| 1908 | … | 284,691 | … | 10,571 |
§ There is no Excise Duty on cider or perry manufactured in this country, and the licence for the sale of cider or perry will be equally necessary whether the cider or perry is made in this country or is imported. The proposed licence to be taken out by a manufacturer of cider or perry, which also authorises sale by wholesale, is only at the same rate of duty (namely, £5 5s. per annum) as the licence to be taken out by a dealer in cider or perry. My right hon. Friend does not think that a countervailing duty is necessary.
§ Captain CLIVEIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that the French cider merchants send circulars to consumers of cider, and that if they obtain sales in that way they thereby evade the dealers' licence?
§ Mr. HOBHOUSEI have no doubt they do send out circulars, out they do not appear to get much sale.