§ 54. Sir Waldron Smithersasked the Minister of Food under what authority was the profit on the importation of Algerian wine retained by his Ministry; and if Treasury sanction was obtained for the imposition of the equivalent of a tax.
§ Mr. MabaneImports on Government account may involve surpluses or deficits according to the circumstances of the case and no special authority is required to include such balances in the Departmental accounts other than the general statutory authority under which the Ministry of Food operates. Treasury authority was obtained in this as in all such cases for the purchase price, the Ministry's selling price, the traders' margins of profit and the retail selling price.
§ Sir W. SmithersIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that his Ministry has, in fact, imposed a customs duty unconstitutionally, and will he find out what the penalty is likely to be?
§ Mr. MabaneNo, Sir, I am not so aware.