§ 68. Sir WILLIAM WAYLANDasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he has considered the hardship to the hop growers, barley growers and consumers, manufacturers and retailers of beer, who through the beer duty alone now contribute one-tenth of the national revenue, by allowing apples to be imported free of duty from certain Colonies if consigned direct for use in making cider which pays no duty; and if he will, at the earliest opportunity, propose a tax upon cider in proportion to its alcoholic content compared with beer?
Mr. CHAMBERLAINIn regard to the first part of the question, I presume that my hon. Friend is referring to foreign cider apples; such apples will remain liable to the general ad valorem duty. As regards Empire cider apples, these are on the same footing as other Empire produce which, as my hon. Friend will remember, are free from any duties under the Import Duties Act and are proposed to he treated on the same lines under the Ottawa Agreements Bill. With regard to the second part of the question, my hon. Friend will not expect me to anticipate the Budget Statement.
§ Sir W. WAYLANDWill the right hon. Gentleman in the near future consider the total revision of the Customs and Excise Duties, so that there may be a fair distribution among the different trades and consumers of those articles?
Mr. CHAMBERLAINNo doubt that, among other matters, will be considered by me before I make my next Budget statement.