§ 41. Mr. KILEYasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what duty is being levied on ingredients of gas mantles; when the collection of this duty was commenced; and what has been the amount so collected during the period it has been imposed?
§ Sir R. HORNEIn accordance with the award of the Referee, duty at 33⅓ per cent. is being levied on imported gas mantles in respect of the value of the mechanical aggregates of oxide of thorium and oxide of cerium and of nitrate of thorium and nitrate of cerium being ingredients of such mantles. Pending authoritative determination of the value of these ingredients delivery is being allowed, if the importer so desires, on deposit of a sum equivalent to the duty on a value of 25 per cent. of the value of the complete mantles, subject to any adjustment that may prove to be ultimately necessary. In these circumstances it is not possible to give any reliable figure of the actual duty so far collected.
§ Sir R. HORNEYes, I understand that money has been received, but that is subject to adjustment.
§ Major M. WOODDoes the right hon. Gentleman consider that the amount of money received is equal to the cost of collection?
§ Sir R. HORNEThat is a totally different question.
§ 42. Mr. KILEYasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the value of gas mantles imported from the 1st January to the 31st May, 1922; and can he give similar figures for the same period of 1921?
§ The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the BOARD of TRADE (Sir W. Mitchell-Thomson)The total value of incandescent gas mantles registered during the first five months of this year as imported into the United Kingdom was £114,081. The corresponding value for the first five months of the year 1921 was £86,964.