§ 58. Mr. TINKER (for Mr. KIRK-WOOD)asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that it has long been the custom for sailors in the mercantile marine, as in the Navy, to have their tobacco out of bond and free of duty; that certain shipowners are now taking stocks of tobacco from bond at a cost of about 3s. per pound and selling it to their men at as much as 9s., as if 1896 they had paid duty on it; and whether he will take steps to secure that the benefit of the concession shall always go to the sailors and not be turned into a source of profit for shipowners?
§ Mr. RUNCIMANIf my hon. Friend will give me instances of such charges that he considers excessive, I will make inquiries. I would, however, remind him that I have no power to regulate the prices charged for tobacco on board ship.
§ Mr. MACQUISTENIs it not the case that this money is ostensibly collected as revenue, a tax on tobacco, and should not the shipowners be compelled to account for it to the Inland Revenue? At any rate, they should get no subsidy for playing such a dirty trick on the seamen.