62. Sir H. SAMUELasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the total diminution of revenue suffered by the Exchequer, up to the beginning of the present financial year, in consequence of the rebate of taxation allowed to beet sugar grown in the United Kingdom; and what is the estimated amount for this year?
§ Mr. PETHICK - LAWRENCEThe approximate diminution of revenue in consequence of the preferential reduction in the rate of duty in favour of homegrown sugar totalled £7,039,000 for the whole period from 1915 up to 31st March, 1931, and the estimated diminution for the present financial year is £1,700,000. This does not include a period from 1922 to 1924 when home-grown sugar was altogether exempted from duty.
§ Sir ERNEST SHEPPERSONCan the right hon. Gentleman tell the House the 559 amount of revenue actually received by the Chancellor of the Exchequer from the taxation of home-grown sugar?
§ Mr. SPEAKERThat question does not arise out of the answer.