Sir GILBERT PARKERasked what was the revenue of Southern Nigeria for 1909–10, and what was the revenue from the importation of spirits for the same period; also from what countries the imports of spirits came, and what was the amount of the imports from each country severally, in gallons and in values, including duties?
Mr. HARCOURT
The spirits were imported from the United Kingdom, Germany, Holland, France, and other countries. The details as to importation asked for by the hon. Member are too voluminous to be given in a verbal reply. They are contained, together with other useful statistics, in the published Trade Report of the Colony for 1910, a copy of which I shall be glad to communicate to the hon. Member if he so desire.
In 1909. In 1910. Total Revenue £1,362,000 £1,933,000 Revenue from duties on spirits £639,000 £1,000,000
Sir GILBERT PARKERasked whether the Colonial Secretary will state what is the present duty on spirits imported into Southern Nigeria; what recent increases of duty have been imposed; and how such increases of duty have affected the importation of spirits, say from 1900 to 1910, inclusive?
Mr. HARCOURTSince the 15th of January, 1909, the duty has been 5s. the imperial gallon at a strength not exceeding 50 degrees by Tralles' alcoholometer, with an additional duty of 2½d. for every additional degree of strength, and a reduction of 1½d. for every degree below such strength. The minimum duty is 4s. per imperial gallon. It is not possible to say how the increase of duty has affected the importation of spirits, as the latter is governed by other conditions, affecting trade generally, as well as by the duties. Full information as to the importation of spirits into Southern Nigeria, including the alterations in the duties which have been made from time to time, will be found in the annual reports from the Colony, which are laid before Parliament. The, last report is Cd. 5467.
Sir GILBERT PARKERasked what was the value of all imports into Southern Nigeria for the year 1909–10, and what was the value of cotton imports for the same period?
Mr. HARCOURTIn Southern Nigeria the calendar year is used for statistical purposes, not the British financial year. I assume that the words "all imports" are intended to mean commercial imports —that is to say imports exclusive of Government imports and specie. On this assumption the figures are, to the nearest thousand:—
| 1909. | 1910. | |||
| All imports | … | £3,205,000 | … | £4,114,000 |
| Cotton goods | … | £1,075,000 | … | £1,307,000 |