Mr. FOOTasked the President of the Board of Trade if he can give the date when the Referee announced his decision that a duty of 33⅓ per cent. was payable on certain materials used in the manufacture of gas mantles and the date when this decision was put into force; and, in view of the uncertainty and chaos existing in the trade, can he make an immediate announcement as to what the actual duty payable is on each gas mantle?
§ Mr. BALDWINThe decision of the Referee was signed on the 22nd May, and became operative as from the 25th May. The assessment of duty is a matter for the Commissioners of Customs, who I understand expect to issue in the course of the next few days instructions as to the valuations to be taken for the purpose of assessing duty.