HC Deb 04 August 1913 vol 56 cc1214-5

The additional duty of Customs on tea removed or imported into the Isle of Man imposed by section one of the Isle of Man (Customs) Act, 1906, and the additional duties of Customs on tobacco and spirits removed or imported into the Isle of Man imposed by section one of the Isle of Man (Customs) Act, 1900, and the additional duty on ale and beer removed or imported into the Isle of Man imposed by the second paragraph of section two of that Act, shall continue to be charged, levied, and paid as from the first day of August nineteen hundred and thirteen until the first day of August nineteen hundred and fourteen.

Mr. BOOTH

I wish to put my customary annual question to the Financial Secretary to the Treasury on this Bill. It relates to the Isle of Man Customs, and I understand that in some mysterious way it is necessary. But why does the Bill come before this House? What will happen if we refuse to pass this Clause? On the Insurance Bill I put down a measure to make that measure apply to the Isle of Man, because of the great interchange of visitors between Lancashire and the Isle, but the motion was ruled out of Order on the ground that we have no jurisdiction over the Isle of Man, which has no representative in this House. Under the circumstances I should like to know why this Bill comes before us.

The FINANCIAL SECRETARY to the TREASURY (Mr. Masterman)

This is an annual Bill which is passed by the House before the end of the Session in order to make valid resolutions passed in the Tynwald of the Isle of Man. The result of not passing the Bill here would be that the revenue of the Isle of Man would largely cease to exist, because they could not collect these Customs Duties—a very unnecessary disturbance of a happy, prosperous and peace-loving population. The Customs Duties are generally in agreement with those of England. Lancashire visitors pay the same amount of duty on tea and tobacco, but get their ale and spirits generally at a rather lower rate.

Question, "That the Clause stand part of the Bill," put, and agreed.

Bill reported, without Amendment; to be read the third time to-morrow (Tuesday).