§ Mr. STEEL-MAITLANDasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that, in view of the delay in introducing the Budget, the bonding accommodation for dry goods in Birmingham has been found insufficient to meet the needs of importers of those goods who are thus forced either to import the goods direct and pay the duty in advance or to keep them on the boats on which they are brought to the city; that in the latter case they have to pay demurrage charges to the canal company for keeping the boats idle, while the men they employ are also prevented from working and are unable to draw wages they would otherwise earn; and whether, under these circumstances, he will take steps to see that sufficient and suitable bonding accommodation for such goods is provided?
§ Mr. LLOYD GEORGEI have no reason to think that the existing bonding accommodation in Birmingham is insufficient for normal trade requirements. If this is shown to be the case, a specific application for permanent approval of additional accommodation addressed to the Commissioners of Customs and Excise will be carefully considered by them, but I am not prepared to grant any temporary increases of accommodation, such as those referred to in the question, at Budget time.