§ 34. Sir HARRY BRITTAINasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether it is proposed to offer to the Dominions and Colonies any compensation for the loss of the preference on tea?
§ The FINANCIAL SECRETARY to the TREASURY (Mr. Arthur Michael Samuel)No, Sir. Very great increases of preferences have been given in the present Parliament.
§ Sir H. BRITTAINWhat proportion of this tea comes from the British Empire and what proportion is foreign?
§ Mr. SAMUELThe major portion comes from the British Empire.
§ 40. Sir H. BRITTAINasked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury what proportion, in value and in quantity, of the tea consumed in this country during the years 1924, 1925, 1926, 1927, and 1928, was imported from Foreign, and what proportion from Empire, sources?
§ The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the BOARD of TRADE (Mr. Herbert Williams)I have been asked to reply. The answer has been prepared in tabular form; and with my hon. Friend's permission, I will circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.
§ Following is the answer:
§ The following table shows the proportions of the net quantities of tea retained for home consumption in Great Britain and Northern Ireland, which were entered at the preferential and the full rates of duty, respectively, during each of the years 1924 to 1928. Similar information relating to the value of such tea is not available.
| 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. | |
| 1924 | 85.3 | 14.7 |
| 1925 | 86.9 | 13.1 |
| 1926 | 84.2 | 15.8 |
| 1927 | 82.4 | 17.6 |
| 1928 | 84.5 | 15.5 |