HC Deb 05 March 1866 vol 181 c1497
MR. READ

said, he would beg to ask Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer, If he can furnish the House with the quantity of Foreign Barley which is manufactured into Malt in this country; and, if not, whether he will instruct the Officers of Excise to furnish such Returns for the months of March and April in the present year?

THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUER

, in reply, said, he was sorry to say that he was unable to give the hon. Member the information he desired. There were at present no means of ascertaining the quantity of foreign barley manufactured into malt in this country; the Government had no authority to issue the orders to the Excise officers which the hon. Gentleman asked for, and if such orders were issued, they probably would not be obeyed.