HC Deb 09 March 1932 vol 262 cc1794-5
67. Sir W. DAVISON

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether his attention has been called to the increasing supplies of Dutch tea which are arriving and are invoiced to arrive in this country in anticipation of the possibility of a duty being placed on foreign teas; and whether steps will be taken to prevent forestalling of any duty which might be imposed?

The FINANCIAL SECRETARY to the TREASURY (Major Elliot)

I am aware that there has been some increase in the imports of Dutch tea during the last few months, but, as regards the second part of the question, I am unable to anticipate the Budget statement.

Sir W. DAVISON

Has it not been the practice of the Treasury in the past to introduce legislation to prevent forestalling, even though taxation may not be imposed, if there is a possibility of taxation being imposed?

Mr. THORNE

Does not the right hon. and gallant Gentleman think that the latter part of that question implies that the Chancellor of the Exchequer is going to increase the Tea Duty, and will not that give importers the idea of dumping tea into the country?