§ 16. Major-General Sir ALFRED KNOXasked the President of the Board of Trade what percentage of the retained imports of tea to the United Kingdom was of Empire origin in the years 1921, 1926, and 1930, respectively?
§ Mr. W. GRAHAMOf the total imports of tea retained in the United Kingdom during the years 1921, 1926, and 1930, the proportions consigned from British countries were 92.1 per cent., 84.1 per cent., and 81.0 per cent., respectively.
§ Sir A. KNOXDoes the right hon. Gentleman not think, in view of the progressive decline of Empire tea imported into this country, that it would be wise to reimpose the preference which the Government withdrew?
§ 17. Sir A. KNOXasked the President of the Board of Trade what is the duty on tea imported into Holland of Dutch origin and of British Empire origin, respectively?
§ Mr. GRAHAMThe customs duty levied on tea on importation into the Netherlands is 75 florins per 100 kilogrammes, or about 6¾d. per lb. whatever the origin of the tea.
§ 23. Mr. OSWALD LEWISasked the President of the Board of Trade what percentage of the total retained imports of tea in the United Kingdom during each of the last five years was of foreign origin?
§ Mr. GRAHAMOf the total imports of tea retained in the United Kingdom during each of the years 1926 to 1930, the proportions consigned from foreign countries were 15.9, 16.8, 15.7, 18.1 and 19.0 per cent., respectively.
§ Mr. LEWISWill the right hon. Gentleman tell the House of any steps 1754 that the Government are taking with the view of increasing the proportion of Empire tea imported?
§ Mr. GRAHAMThere is an open market here, and we take the great bulk of tea from the Empire. If the hon. Member suggests a duty or preference, that is something that we cannot impose.