COCOA.

HC Deb 29 September 1915 vol 74 cc844-5

Resolution reported,

2. "That in addition to the duties of Customs now payable on cocoa imported into Great Britain or Ireland there shall, on and after the twenty-second day of September, nineteen hundred and fifteen, until the first day of August, nineteen hundred and sixteen, be charged the following additional duties, that is to say:—

	£	s.	d.
Cocoa, the lb.	0	0	0½
Cocoa husks and shells, the cwt.	0	1	0
Cocoa butter, the lb.	0	0	0½

and so in proportion for any less quantity.

And it is declared that it is expedient in the public interest that this Resolution shall have statutory effect under the provisions of the Provisional Collection of Taxes Act, 1913."

Motion made, and Question proposed, "That this House doth agree with the Committee in the said Resolution."

Sir J. D. REES

I do not think I ought to allow this Resolution to pass unnoticed or without giving expression to a view very widely held by everybody concerned—a view which, although put forward on previous occasions, has elicited no explanation from the Chancellor of the Exchequer. The right hon. Gentleman cannot be surprised if, when no answer is given on points of this character, sinister interpretations are put upon the preference which is given to cocoa as against tea. The same remark applies as regards coffee and cocoa. The difference is exceedingly marked, and, although I do not wish to elaborate the point, I think it would not be proper to refrain from uttering these few words before the Resolution passes.

Sir WALTER ESSEX

Is it the intention of the Chancellor of the Exchequer to give information with regard to the amount of cheques returned owing to the operation of his suspension or limitation of forestalments in the Customs Houses of the country generally? I understand that very large sums of money have been handed back by the Customs Department to persons who had paid them over, but who were refused delivery of goods until the Budget Resolutions had passed?

The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER (Mr. McKenna)

I think the proper time to answer that question will be when I bring in a Resolution dealing with the whole subject. I propose to introduce a Clause in the Bill upon which this question can be raised, but if I were pressed now I could only deal with the forestalments of cocoa.

Sir W. ESSEX

Will the right hon. Gentleman give the information later?

Mr. McKENNA

Of course.

Sir J. D. REES

Am I to take that as an answer to my question also?

Mr. McKENNA

I did not take the hon. Gentleman's observations seriously. He spoke of "sinister conclusions," and I assumed him to refer to conclusions which could only be drawn by sinister persons. This tax is the same as has been imposed by both parties for a great many years, and I do not know what sinister conclusions are to be drawn from taxation which has been equally acceptable to both parties in this House.

Sir W. ESSEX

I think the right hon. Gentleman rather missed my point—

Mr. SPEAKER

The hon. Member has already exhausted his right to speak.

Question put, and agreed to.