asked the President of the Board of Trade if he can give the date when the Referee announced his decision that a duty of 33⅓ per cent. was payable on certain materials used in the manufacture of gas mantles and the date when this decision was put into force; and, in view of the uncertainty and chaos existing in the trade, can he make an immediate announcement as to what the actual duty payable is on each gas mantle?

The decision of the Referee was signed on the 22nd May, and became operative as from the 25th May. The assessment of duty is a matter for the Commissioners of Customs, who I understand expect to issue in the course of the next few days instructions as to the valuations to be taken for the purpose of assessing duty.