MR. MOFFATTwished to put a question to the Chancellor of the Exchequer, of which he had given notice, and which was of importance to the manufacturers of spirits in Scotland and Ireland. It was a subject on which much anxiety prevailed in both countries. The object was to obtain the same privileges for our manufacturers that were conceded to the French. He therefore asked whether it was the intention of the Chancellor of the Exchequer, in the proposed new Excise Bill, to extend the bonding privileges to British spirits for 697 home consumption that are at present conceded to foreign and colonial spirits?
§ The CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUERsaid, that the hon. Gentleman was aware that in Scotland and Ireland distillers had the privilege of warehousing. This was a question to which he had directed the attention of the Excise Board; but his hon. Friend must see that it would be far more convenient to all parties, when Government introduced a measure, to make a statement on the whole subject. He might at this time answer the question; but he thought it far better that he should take the subject together, and he was not justified in stating what Government intended to do to any part of the measure.
§ The CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUERI propose to introduce a Bill on the subject, as I have already announced, after Christmas. When I do so I will state the whole course which is intended to be pursued by Government.
§ MR. GOULBURNasked if the measure would also apply to colonial spirits?
§ The CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUERsaid, that what he had stated at an early period of the Session was, that he had directed the attention of the Excise to the various restrictions which were supposed to be unnecessary for the protection of the revenue, and which unduly pressed on industry, and he was in hopes of some remedy, but in no case was the revenue to be affected.