§ Lord HENRY CAVENDISH - BENTINCKasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that, owing to the burden imposed upon the British cigar manufacturer by the incidence of the tobacco taxes, a factory in Nottingham, specially built seven years ago, at a cost including land, buildings, and equipment of £10,000, has now been closed down and advertised for sale; whether he is aware 1517W that one firm of cigar manufacturers in the Nottingham district are now employing 100 fewer hands than before the 1909 Budget, and that three fewer manufacturers' licences than last year have been taken out in Nottingham; whether, taking into consideration the loss of employment resulting from the manner in which the British cigar manufacturers are taxed, he will so alter the method of levying the import duties on raw tobacco so that these manufacturers, who are obliged to import tobacco in a moist condition, shall be entitled to have their imports assessed for duty in a more equitable manner than at present?
§ Mr. LLOYD GEORGEFrom inquiries which I have made, I gather that the factory referred to has been removed to another district. I am not aware to what extent fewer hands are being employed by cigar manufacturers in the Nottingham district. The same number of licences has been issued this year as last. With regard to the last paragraph, I would refer the Noble Lord to an answer given to him by my right hon. Friend the Secretary to the Treasury on my behalf on the 4th ultimo.