§ 3. Mr. KINGasked the President of the Board of Trade whether the monthly average of tobacco imported since 1st March, 1916, under special licence shows any diminution on the monthly average import before the issue of the prohibition Order?
Mr. ROBERTSA diminution of over 13 per cent. is shown in the average monthly imports during the twelve months ended February, 1917, as compared with the previous twelve months. Certain of the imports during the prohibition period were admitted, not under special licence, but by reason of the standing concession relating to goods in transit before the date of the prohibition.
§ 4. Mr. KINGasked the President of the Board of Trade the amounts of tobacco imported in January and February. 1916, and in January and February, 1917, respectively?
Mr. ROBERTSThe quantities of tobacco of all kinds registered as imported into the United Kingdom in the periods specified were as follows:
§ 3,432 tons in January, 1916;
§ 2,837 tons in February, 1916;
§ 3,389 tons in January, 1917; and
§ 2,224 tons in February, 1917.
§ 5. Mr. KINGasked the President of the Board of Trade the amount of tobacco in bond in the United Kingdom on 1st August, 1914, and on 1st March. 1917, respectively.?
Mr. ROBERTSThe total quantity of tobacco of all kinds including snuff remaining in the bonded warehouses of the United Kingdom was 104.250 tons on the 1st August. 1914, 112.301 tons on the 1st March, 1917.
§ Mr. KINGIs it not obvious that the figures show that a very large stock is in hand, so that the policy of prohibiting all imports is quite possible and reasonable?
Mr. ROBERTSIt appears from the figures that there is a very considerable stock and I understand that the point is under the consideration of the Imports Committee.
§ 45. Mr. KINGasked the Prime Minister on what grounds he has neglected to treat tobacco as an import which should be completely prohibited, especially in view of the facts that there is sufficient tobacco now in bond for over two years, and that in 1916 the import of tobacco was 166,554.378 lbs.?
§ The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER (Mr. Bonar Law)Tobacco was not included in the recent proclamation as it has been on the prohibited list for some time previously. It is intended to restrict the issue of import licences more stringently in future.