§ 46. Mr. PERKINSasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that tobacco is being grown in this country; whether he will consider the question of the remission of the excise duty on this tobacco; and what would be the estimated loss to the Treasury of this remission?
§ Major ELLIOTThe answer to the first part of the question is in the 204 affirmative and to the second in the negative. Tobacco grown in this country already enjoys a preferential reduction of duty of 2s. 2½d. per lb. as compared with imported non-Empire tobacco. To remit the Excise Duty entirely would, on the basis of the present home production, cost about £1,000 per annum only, but the ultimate cost would undoubtedly be very considerable if as a result of the remission the home-produced article were to displace imported duty-paid tobacco to any appreciable extent.