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.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Receipts from Customs Duties.
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.