§ 79. Major MORRISON-BELLasked the Minister of Agriculture if he has any record that the Board some years ago issued a circular to the farming community suggesting that it might help them over bad times if, as a subsidiary industry, they took up the making of cider?
The MINISTER of AGRICULTURE (Sir Arthur Boscawen)I am unable to trace any record of the circular in question.
§ Major MORRISON-BELLIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that I sent a copy to the Ministry of Agriculture?
Sir A. BOSCAWENMy hon. and gallant Friend did not send a copy of the circular, but a copy of a long Report which was published some years ago by the Board.
§ 80. Major MORRISON-BELLasked the Minister of Agriculture if he is aware that the duty on cider which is home-made and supplied by farmers to their workers costs as much in the collection as it brings in to the Treasury; and will he recommend that cider produced on a farm and for home consumption should be relieved of this tax?
Mr. YOUNGDuty is not charged on cider made by a farmer and supplied free to workers on his farm. If, however, such cider is sold to the workers duty is chargeable, and I am not prepared to recommend exemption from duty in such circumstances. I may add that the work involved is insignificant, and no saving in staff would result from the suggested exemption.