HC Deb 24 April 1951 vol 487 cc30-1W
72. Mr. Teeling

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the amount per year of tax obtained on the importation of cigars from non-Commonwealth and colonial sources during the three previous years to the ceasing of permission for such importations; what was the tax obtained in each of those years from importation from Jamaican sources; and how far have we benefited by taxation each year since Cuban cigars were forbidden an import licence.

Mr. Gaitskell

As regards the first and second parts of the Question, net receipts of duty paid in respect of cigars imported from the sources indicated during the financial years 1936–37 to 1938–39* were as follow:

Financial Year Non-Commonwealth Colonial (including Jamaica) Jamaica
£ £ £
1936–37 … 388,254 2,103 2,080
1937–38 … 336,088 2,888 2,870
1938–39 … 321,087 2,007 1,994

As regards the last part of the Question, net receipts of duty paid in respect of cigars imported since imports of foreign cigars were suspended in the financial year 1940–41* were:

Year Duty paid Year Duty paid
£ £
1940–41 … 73,045 1946–47 734,602
1941–42 … 75,849 1947–48 1,207,191
1942–43 … 109,357 1948–49 501,140
1943–44 … 157,215 1949–50 590,548
1944–45 … 176,938 1950–51 707,000
1945–46 … 346,711 (estimate)

The rates of duty on tobacco were increased in 1940, 1942, 1943, 1947 and 1948.

* The granting of import licences for foreign cigars ceased on 1st January, 1940.