§ 52. Sir ROBERT HAMILTONasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate has been made of the amount that will be produced in the current financial year by the duties imposed under the Ottawa Agreements Act?
§ Mr. HORE-BELISHAI regret that it is not possible at present to furnish the estimate for which my hon. Friend asks.
§ Sir R. HAMILTONDo I understand that no estimate was made before these duties were imposed?
§ Mr. HORE-BELISHANaturally the amount of duties we receive will depend upon the extent to which our purchases are diverted from foreign countries to Imperial countries.
§ Sir P. HARRISIs it not the general rule when a duty is levied for any purpose to make an estimate? Have not the Treasury been consulted and have they no figures available?
§ Mr. HORE-BELISHAI would not like to give my hon. Friend any figures that might prove misleading.