§ Mr. DAYasked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether any recent increase in the duties on imported spirits have been imposed in the Gold Coast and Togoland; and can he state the date upon which these were carried into effect?
§ Dr. SHIELSYes, Sir. On the 19th of June the Legislative Council of the Gold Coast approved the increase of the import duty on spirits from 27s. 6d. to £1 13s. 6d. per gallon at the strength of 50 centisimal degrees, the minimum duty being raised from £1 4s. 10d. to £1 10s. 10d. per gallon. Spirits above 50 degrees in strength pay an additional 8d. per gallon for each degree or fraction of a degree. These increases took effect forthwith.