66. Sir NICHOLAS GRATTANDOYLEasked the President of the Board of Trade what proportions of the total consumption of tea in the United Kingdom were respectively of Empire and foreign production in each year since 1920?
Sir P. CUNLIFFE LISTERThe answer has been prepared in tabular form; and, if my hon. Friend agrees, I will circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.
§ Sir N. GRATTAN-DOYLECan my right hon. Friend say whether the amount of Empire-grown tea is increasing or diminishing?
§ Sir P. CUNLIFFE-LISTERAccording to the last table—perhaps my hon. Friend will be able to make the calculation.
§ Mr. A. V. ALEXANDERIs it not a fact that since the granting of an Imperial Preference Duty on tea, the percentage of Empire-grown tea consumed in the home market has decreased?
§ Following 'is the answer:
§ The following table shows the proportions of the net quantities of tea retained for home consumption in the United Kingdom, which were entered at the preferential and full rates of duty, respectively, during each of the years 1920 to 1927.
| Year. | Proportions of total net quantities retained for home consumption in the United Kingdom. | ||
| At Preferential Rate of Duty. | At Full Rate of Duty. | ||
| Per cent. | Per cent. | ||
| 1920 | … | 86.7 | l3.3 |
| 1921 | … | 90.5 | 9.5 |
| 1922 | … | 88.0 | 12.0 |
| 1923 | … | 88.0 | 12.0 |
| 1024 | … | 88.3 | 14.7 |
| J925 | … | 86.9 | 13.1 |
| 1926 | … | 84.2 | 15.8 |
| 1927 | … | 82.4 | 17.6 |
§ NOTE.—Prior to 1st April, 1923, the date upon which the above figures are based included the net quantities of Tea retained for consumption in the whole of Ireland. From this date the quantities retained for consumption in the Irish Free State are excluded.