HC Deb 30 June 1910 vol 18 cc1132-3

The total figure for Customs this year I put at £32,095,000. That is an increase of £1,355,000 upon the Budget Estimate of last year. I expect that increase partly from spirits. If the right hon. Gentleman opposite (Mr. Austen Chamberlain) would like the actual figures in detail I think I can give them to him. [HON. MEMBERS: "Hear, hear."] I anticipate an increase—comparing the estimates for this year with the actual receipts for last—from chicory, cocoa, and coffee of £49,000;dried fruits, £9,000; motor spirit, £77,000; spirits, £268,000; sugar, £190,000; tea, £521,000—that is partly forestalments, but it is partly, I expect; from a greater demand—tobacco, £763,000. That is partly forestalments, and partly due to the fact that there was one month of last year when we did not get the increased Tobacco Duty, and partly because I anticipate 1.5 per cent, increased consumption. The consumption of tobacco is a very good test of trade. Wine, I expect, will be down by £48,000, and other articles —I do not know what they are—down by £3,000. The total increase, I expect will be £1,826,000 on the net receipts proper to last year.