| s. | d. | ||
| Cigars | the lb. | 4 | 2 |
| Cigarettes | the lb. | 4 | 1 |
| Cut, roll, cake, or other manufactured tobacco | the lb. | 4 | 0 |
| Snuff (not being offal snuff) | the lb. | 3 | 10 |
| Stalks, shorts, or other refuse of tobacco (including offal snuff) | the lb. | 3 | 9 |
§ Mr. STEPHEN GWYNN moved, in Part II. (Excise Duties) to leave out "3s. 6d." ["Tobacco containing 10 pounds or more of moisture in every 100 pounds' weight thereof, the pound 3s. 6d."], and to insert instead thereof "3s. 4d."
§ I do not propose, unless it be necessary, to Divide on the Amendment. Irish tobacco is charged 3s. 6d. a pound as against other foreign tobacco, which is charged 3s. 8d. The difference of 2d. is a concession by the Treasury, but the Irish grower is under an admitted disability owing to the regulations which the Excise imposes for its own protection. My contention is that the 2d. does not cover the compensation that is due to the Irish grower or manufacturer, owing to these restrictions, and we say that it should be 3s. 4d. The Financial Secretary, in the course of the discussion, indicated that he 1414 was prepared to lessen the burden imposed by these complex restrictions. Of course, if that pledge were definitely made it might very largely meet our case. If the right hon. Gentleman can give us such a pledge, and if the Treasury can keep an open mind on the question of compensation where the growers can make out a case, then I do not think it would be necessary to go to a Division.
§ Mr. HOBHOUSEIt is true that last night I stated that if there were undue restrictions caused by any of the regulations, we should—without causing undue loss, or undue possibility of loss to the Exchequer—see whether those regulations could be relaxed. I am very glad to repeat that assurance this afternon. I do not think anything can be more explicit than that. But when the hon. Gentleman goes on to ask me to keep an open mind with respect to the 2d., which makes the difference between the Customs and the Excise revenues, and asks that the 2d. shall be increased to 4d., then I am afraid my mind is not open on that subject. I am afraid, however important we consider the relaxations we consider as still more important the proposed suggested alteration from twopence to fourpence. I reminded him previously that twopence in the case of the ordinary average acre produced in the average crop of tobacco something like £8 per acre. I do not think he would expect me to decrease the amount by that sum.
§ Amendment, by leave, withdrawn.
§ Mr. MORTONI have an Amendment on the Paper to provide for the benefit of the rebate in the case where the motor is used for goods and for passengers. I am pleased to say the Government have met us in this matter in a subsequent Amendment. I desire to thank them, on behalf of those who use those motors in the poorer districts where they cannot afford to have separate motors for goods and passengers.