HC Deb 21 July 1936 vol 315 cc405-6

Order for Second Reading read.

The FINANCIAL SECRETARY to the TREASURY (Mr. W. S. Morrison)

I beg to move, "That the Bill be now read a Second time."

11.2 p.m.

Mr. KELLY

I do not intend to keep the House for more than two or three minutes to-night, but I think we ought to have had some explanation as to why this Tea Duty is being imposed on the people of the Isle of Man, unless it is for the reason that we heard the Chancellor of the Exchequer state, that it is desired to make the Manx people understand that more arms are being purchased. It is very strange, seeing that they have no armed forces on the Isle of Man, that we are now calling upon them to pay this particular duty upon tea. Again, were they consulted, because I notice that this Tea Duty was imposed on the Isle on 13th May, without either the House of Keys or any other of the Legislative Assemblies having considered the matter? The same applies in the case of the other duties, with regard to the continuance of the silk and artificial silk duty as from 7th March last and certain other duties that are being imposed on 10th June, and others on different dates. I hope that, if not to-night, on the Committee stage to-morrow we shall have some explanation and a statement as to whether the people on the Isle were consulted and if so, when they were consulted with regard to having to pay to this country these duties which, I think, are most unfairly imposed on the people of the Isle.

Question put, and agreed to.

Bill read a Second time.

Bill committed to a Committee of the Whole House for To-morrow.—[Sir G. Penny.]

The remaining Orders were read, and postponed.