asked the Minister for Finance if he will state in respect of the last financial year (a) the total amount received from tariffs and import duties; (b) the amount received from tariffs imposed solely for the protection of home industries, and (c) the amount received from tariffs and import duties imposed for revenue purposes.

The total net receipt of customs duties on imported goods in the year ended 31st March, 1954, was £36,597,492. It is not possible to make an entirely clear-cut distinction as between revenue duties and protective duties; certain duties originally imposed purely for revenue purposes have assumed a protective character, others might be classified either as protective or revenue duties. Subject to this reservation, it is estimated that of the total net receipt £2,714,531 may be attributed to protective duties and £33,882,961 to revenue duties. Of the latter amount, tobacco, oil, spirits and motor-cars and parts account for close on £33,000,000.