§ Mr. WILLIAM REDMONDasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer why is the Scotch experimental tobacco grower given this year a rebate of 1s. 2d. per pound when the Irish experimental tobacco 2198 grower only gets a grant equivalent to 10d. per pound, calculated on last season's average poundage per acre, namely, 1,200; and whether he is aware that in some cases 1,500 pounds were got per acre, in which case the grant only equals 8d. per pound against the Scotchman's 1s. 2d. per pound?
§ Mr. HOBHOUSEAs the hon. Member is aware, a grant of £6,000 per annum is now made in aid of experimental tobacco growing in Ireland in place of the rebate of duty formerly allowed, but my right hon. Friend is not able to say whether the calculation given in the question is correct. In Scotland rebate of duty is allowed under Section 2 of the Tobacco Growing (Scotland) Act, 1908, equal to one-third of the duty paid upon the actual net weight brought to charge. Only one person, however, has applied to be allowed, and has been authorised to grow tobacco as an experiment under the Act.
§ Mr. WILLIAM REDMONDWill the right hon. Gentleman be good enough to inquire into the allegation that the Scotch growers do receive more under their arrangement than the Irish growers?
§ Mr. HOBHOUSEThe grant to the Irish growers is made per acre, and depends entirely on the amount grown.
§ Mr. WILLIAM REDMONDThe arrangement made with Ireland should be as favourable as that made with Scotland.
§ Mr. HOBHOUSEI should have hoped that the arrangement made with Ireland was sufficient to satisfy even hon. Gentlemen opposite.
§ Mr. WILLIAM REDMONDNot at all.