HC Deb 02 March 1910 vol 14 cc852-3
Mr. FELL

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he had finally decided to charge Excise duty upon all sugar that may be manufactured from beetroot in this country, and not to grant exemption to the company that proposed to undertake the growth of beet and the manufacture of sugar in Lincolnshire?

Mr. LLOYD-GEORGE

It will be necessary to charge Excise Duty at rates corresponding to the rates of Customs Duty on sugar manufactured from beetroot in this country, but I propose to allow a reduction from the rates of Customs Duty to compensate for the additional cost of manufacture under Excise restrictions.

Mr. JAMES HOPE

Why will it be necessary to impose an Excise Duty? Where does the necessity come in?

Mr. LLOYD-GEORGE

The legal necessity. I have got to administer the law.

Mr. JAMES HOPE

Under what Statute is there any necessity for putting an Excise Duty on home-grown sugar?

Mr. LLOYD-GEORGE

I should like notice of that. I cannot for the moment give an answer. I cannot recall the Statute, but so I am informed.

Mr. FELL

May I ask if it has not, as a matter of fact, nearly crushed this industry, which it was proposed to establish in Lincolnshire—instead of protecting it?

Mr. LLOYD-GEORGE

I do not see how that can be crushed which is not in existence.

Mr. FELL

I described it as a "proposed" industry.

Mr. THOMAS LOUGH

Is there any possibility of setting up the industry except through the Brussels Sugar Convention?

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