§ Mr. DARBISHIREasked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies if he is aware that the Government of the Federated Malay States, in June last, reduced the import duty on matches, which was imposed in 1919, to 43 dollars per case, equal to 167.4 per cent. ad valorem; that this duty was originally imposed in order to foster the local 2145W match-making industry; that this local industry is making no progress; and if he will now advise the repeal of the duty, which is adding to the burdens of the poorer classes of the community in the Federated Malay States?
§ Mr. ORMSBY-GOREThe Secretary of State has received no special report from the High Commissioner as to the taxation of matches in the Federated Malay States or as to the policy which has been pursued in the matter, nor has he any information as to the progress of the local match industry. The High Commissioner will be asked for a report. The scale of duty as revised in June, 1922, is one dollar per ten thousand on any number of matches in a box not exceeding eighty, and seventy-five cents per ten thousand on any number in excess of eighty.