§ MR. STANSFELDsaid, he would beg to ask Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer, Whether he is at liberty to state the intentions of the Government in reference to the Spirit Duties, and whether any alteration in their amount is contemplated?
THE CHANCELLOR OE THE EXCHEQUERsaid, the subject to which the hon. Member had alluded was of such importance both to the revenue and to the trade that last year he had departed from the usual practice, by stating the course he intended to adopt with regard to the Spirit Duties at a period when the financial arrangements for the year were not yet under consideration. For the same reasons he was quite willing to reply to the question just put. Her Majesty's Government decidedly did not intend to propose any change in the Spirit Duties now payable by law.