§ Mr. STRANGERasked the Prime Minister if he can give information as to the price per pound retail of the kind of sugar, refined or unrefined, most largely consumed by the working classes in the capital cities of France, Germany, Belgium, Holland, Denmark, and Great Britain, respectively, together with the amount, if any, in English currency at present exchange of the existing Customs and Excise duties, respectively, per pound in each case; and whether the present. Government will take steps to abolish the taxation of sugar for revenue or any other purpose?
CUSTOMS AND EXC DUTIES ON SUGAR. — Equivalent in pence per lb. France:— Customs duty on refined sugar imported (payable in addition to internal tax, refining tax, etc.) 50 frs. per 100 kilogs. 0.56d. per lb. Internal duty on refined sugar 50 frs. per 100 kilogs. 0.56d. per lb. Refining and "surveillance" tax 2.08 frs. per 100 kilogs. 0.02dd. per lb. Germany: — The normal Customs duty of 40 gold marks per 100 kilogs. (2.14d. per lb.) on imported sugar is at present suspended. — The Internal duty on sugar (native or imported) is 21 gold marks per 100 kilogs. 1.12d. per lb. Belgium:— Customs duty on refined sugar imported 40 frs. per 100 kilogs. 0.38d. per lb. A surtax may be levied not exceeding 20 frs. per 100 kilogs. 0.19d. per lb. Excise duty on native sugar 40 frs. per 100 kilogs. 0.38d. per lb. Netherlands:— No Customs import duty. Excise duty on refined sugar (native or imported). 27 f1.per 100 kilogs.) 2.55d. per lb. Denmark:— Customs import duty on loaf, etc., sugar 10 öre per 100 kilgos. 0.40d. per lb. Customs import duty on powdered sugar 6½ or 10 öre per 100 kilogs. (according to polarization). 0.26d. to 0.40d. per lb. Excise duty on native sugar over 98° polarisation. 5.7 öre per 100 kilogs. 0.23d. per lb. Note.—Conversion into English equivalent has been made at the rates current on 16th February.