§ Mr. PARKESasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that quantities of paints, varnishes, and lacquers containing spirit having a flashpoint below 73 degrees Fahrenheit are imported into the United Kingdom from the United States of America and from the Continent without being labelled in accordance with the provisions of the Petroleum Acts, 1871 and 1879; whether such paints, varnishes, and lacquers are liable to Customs duty in respect of the amount of spirit they contain; and what steps it is possible for His Majesty's Customs to take in the event of the requirements of the law not being complied with?
§ Mr. HOBHOUSEI have no information regarding the first part of this question. The administration of the Petroleum Acts is vested in the various local authorities of the United Kingdom, and the Board of Customs and Excise have, therefore, no jurisdiction over the labelling of imported paints, varnishes, etc., as required by those Acts. In answer to the second part of the question, Customs duty is charged on the spirit contained in the articles. In answer to the third part of the question, the Board of Customs and Excise have, as I have already explained, no powers in the matter.