§ Mr. KEENSasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that certain stains used in microscopic work in the research departments of various hospitals and other laboratories have necessarily to be imported from Germany; whether he is aware that the Department, of Customs and Excise open certain of the bottles of these stains for the purpose of ascertaining the alcoholic content and that some of the bottles are rendered absolutely useless for research purposes by this method and occasioning serious loss of time and energy to those engaged in research; and whether he will take steps to see that the bottles are delivered to research departments of hospitals and approved scientific institutions without being so opened?
§ Mr. W. GRAHAMI have been asked to reply to this question. When stains used in microscopic work are imported, the Department of Customs and Excise open the smallest possible number of bottles for the purpose of ascertaining the alcohol content. But the bottles may he delivered without being opened, provided the importer indicates in the Customs entry that the strength of the stains is not1050W to be tested and pays spirit duty at the rate appropriate to preparations containing spirits and not tested as to alcoholic strength.