§ Mr. PETOasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the amount of Customs Duty collected on sugar and tea imported from foreign countries and the Dominions and Colonies of the British Empire, respectively, in the financial year 1922–1923?
§ Mr. BALDWINThe information sought by my hon. Friend is not available in precisely the form asked for, since the Customs receipts of duty are classified according as the goods are charged the2278W full or the preferential rate of duty. The preferential rate is charged where satisfactory evidence is furnished that the goods are of Empire origin and consignment. The net amount of duty collected on sugar and tea in Great Britain and Northern Ireland at full and preferential rates of duty, respectively, in the financial year 1922–23 was as follows:
Sugar. Tea. Full Rate. Preferential Rate. Full Rate. Preferential Rate. £ £ £ £ 32,112,000 7,264,000 1,557,000 9,998,000 These amounts are subject to adjustment with the Irish Free State.
§ Mr. TURNERasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he is aware that all households in the Kingdom are consumers of sugar; that the old age pensioners, poor widows, and ex-service men have a hard time to make their small incomes meet the physical needs of the day; and whether, under such circumstances, he will consider the desirability of abolishing the duty upon this commodity?
§ Mr. BALDWINI would refer the hon. Member to my statement yesterday in which I gave the reasons for my decision not to reduce the Sugar Duty at the present time.