HC Deb 25 May 1909 vol 5 cc1016-7
Mr. WATT

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in view of the fact that £6,000 a year is granted to Ireland in order to encourage tobacco growing in that country, he will give a similar or greater grant to Scotland for the same purpose.

Mr. LLOYD-GEORGE

If it can be shown that similar conditions subsist in Scotland as in Ireland in respect of tobacco growing I shall be glad to consider the question of giving a similar grant to Scotland.

An HON. MEMBER

Will the right hon. Gentleman do the same for England?

Mr. LLOYD-GEORGE

Certainly, if similar experiments are made. A good many experiments have been undertaken in Ireland at great expense. If I find a similar state of affairs in England I shall consider the question of a grant.

Mr. WATT

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that Scotland is constantly being overridden by the predominant partner?

Mr. WILLIAM REDMOND

Is it not the fact that this grant to the Irish tobacco industry was not given until after there had been six or seven years of costly experiments which have proved successful, and that is the reason we got it?

Mr. LLOYD-GEORGE

That is what I have indicated. If experiments are made in Scotland and in England, of course I shall consider the question of giving the same treatment to those two countries as to Ireland.

Mr. SWIFT MacNEILL

Is the Chance1lor of the Exchequer aware that Ireland had her tobacco trade deliberately destroyed by the English Government?