§ Mr. CRAWFURDasked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury if he is aware that traders, who are compelled to
2110Wtitulars available as to blast furnaces in the countries included in the International Steel Cartel, but I am unable to state how many of these blast furnaces are controlled by members of the cartel.
§ Sir P. CUNLIFFE-LISTERThe following table shows the total imports of iron and steel and manufactures thereof into the United Kingdom consigned from France and Germany, respectively, in the year 1913 and in 1919 to 1926. For detailed particulars of these imports I would refer the hon. Member to the information given in Vol. II of the Annual Statement of the Trade of the United Kingdom for 1922 and for 1926:
deposit with the Customs authorities sums of money in respect of cameras and other optical instruments sent to this country for repair, are required to affix a stamp to the form of receipt sent when 2111W this money is returned; why such receipt stamp is required when no actual payment is made; and whether this practice has his sanction?
Mr. SAMUELThe Stamp Acts require that a receipt given for or upon the payment of money amounting to £2 or upwards shall bear a twopenny stamp. There are certain exemptions, but these do not apply to the case described by the hon. Member. Such a receipt is none the less chargeable with the duty if the payment is a return of money deposited, and not a settlement of a debt.