§ MR. WOODDsaid, he would beg to ask: Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer, Whether, in the event of a further reduction in the Duty on Wines taking place in April, 1861, the drawback be allowed on Portugal and French Red Wines in stock at that date, pursuant to the terms of the Excise Orders of July 11, 1843, and July 20, 18S2, and the Excise Letter of July 24, 1843?
§ THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUERI am, Sir, sorry that I had no opportunity on the evening of the financial statement of entering as much as I could have wished into detail on the important subject of the drawback on foreign wines as well for the information of the House as of the parties interested. As the matter stands, I have no choice but to put off the explanation of the general views of the Government until we come to discuss the duty on wines in the Resolution. But I have no hesitation in stating that the Government have no intention of proposing that any drawback shall be grunted upon wine, except to the extent I have already announced, namely, the extent of the difference between the present duty and the duty of 3s., which we are about to propose, and that that concession will be limited to the parties who have complied with the conditions laid down in the Treasury Minute of 1843.
§ SIR STAFFORD NORTHCOTEsaid, he wished to ask, Whether the right hon. Gentleman recognized the Excise Letter of July 24, 1843, as investing any parties with any rights or claims?
§ THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUERsaid, he could not recognize that Letter, on the plain and simple ground that it was revoked and cancelled eight years ago, and had no reference, therefore, to any transaction which had taken place since.
§ SIR HENRY WILLOUGHBYsaid, he wished to ask what would be the condition of those provincial wine merchants who 1567 had not complied with the conditions of the Minute of 1843?
§ THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUERsaid, no distinction could be drawn between metropolitan and provincial wine merchants as regarded the allowance of the drawback.