§ Mr. GILBERTasked the President of the Board of Trade the quantity and value of tea imported into this country for the year ending 31st March last; and what percentage of the total imports received the preference Customs duty?
§ Sir W. MITCHELL-THOMSONThe quantity of tea imported into the United Kingdom during the 12 months ended March, 1922, was 449,554,431 lbs., and the value, £25,016,455. It is not yet possible to give a complete statement as to how much of this tea will receive the preferential rate of Customs duty. The net quantity, however, on which duty was paid during the above-mentioned period was 413,587,094 lbs., and of this amount 371,662,805 lbs., or about 90 per cent., was charged with duty at the preferential rate.