§ Mr. PERKINSasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the total amount of revenue yielded by the Excise duties on English-grown tobacco; and whether he will consider removing the Excise duty on all tobaccos grown in this country in order to stimulate the employment of British labour?
§ Mr. HORE-BELISHAThe total net revenue yielded during the financial year 1932–33 by the Excise duties on English-grown tobacco was approximately £1,560. As regards the second part of the question, tobacco grown in this country already enjoys a preferential reduction of duty of 2s. 2½d. per lb. The entire repeal of the Excise duty would have an adverse effect on the very important tobacco revenue owing to the resulting tendency for imported tobacco to be displaced by home-grown tobacco. My right hon. Friend is afraid that in the circumstances he cannot see his way to adopting my hon. Friend's suggestion.