§ Sir GEORGE WHITEasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether every shipper of whisky or other spirits to the United States receives in cash from the British Customs 3d. per gallon for each gallon of proof spirit exported; and, if so, whether he will consider the effect that such a bounty may have upon British trade under the new Aldrich tariff, which provides that an additional 25 per cent. ad valorem duty shall be paid by any country which pays a bounty upon any of its exports to the United States?
§ Mr. HOBHOUSEI must refer my hon. Friend to the answers given by myself and by the President of the Board of Trade to the hon. Member for North-East Manchester on the 2nd instant.
§ Sir GEORGE WHITEIf he has not already done so, will the right hon. Gentleman ascertain whether the United States Government take the same view of this payment as his Department take, as it is a matter of great interest to manufacturers in America and in this country, and we should be quite sure?
§ Mr. T. M. HEALYOn a point of Order. Is it correct to describe on the Notice Paper of this House as a bounty what is merely a rebate, for the purpose of prejudicing certain manufactures with a foreign Government?
§ Mr. HOBHOUSEI do not think that the request of the hon. Member (Sir George White) is an unreasonable one to make, and I will consider the matter. I do not think that there can be any possible doubt about it.
§ Mr. LUPTONIf a manufacturer is exporting it he can decline to take the rebate.
§ Mr. YOUNGERIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that this is not in any real sense a bounty, but is a payment to the manufacturer in consequence of demands made upon him by the Excise authorities?
§ Mr. HOBHOUSEYes, that is so.
§ Mr. T. M. HEALYIs not it the case that this was simply a grant to manufacturers because of restrictions imposed upon their business in this country, as distinguished from the business of manufacturers abroad?
§ Mr. HOBHOUSEIt was in consequence of restrictions placed upon the manufacturer by the Excise Department.