Captain RAMSAYasked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is aware that excise officials are discouraging attempts at tobacco growing in this country by continual visits of inspection and demands for reports and returns; whether this is in accordance with his instructions; and, if not, will he take steps to see that public time and money is not wasted in this manner?
§ Mr. COOPERI have been asked to reply. Tobacco grown in the United Kingdom is subject to a duty of Excise, and the supervision of growers is conducted by Officers of Customs and Excise in pursuance of Statutory Regulations made under Section 3 of the Finance Act, 1908, and Section 83 of the Finance (1909–10) Act, 1910. I am satisfied that the requirements of the Regulations do not go beyond what is necessary for the safeguarding of the revenue from tobacco.