§ SIR STAFFORD NORTHCOTEasked Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer, What was the rate of the incidence of the Malt Tax on a quarter of barley before the abolition of that Tax; what is the equivalent Tax on a quarter of barley at the present rate of the Beer Duty; and, what will be the equivalent Tax under the proposed new Beer Duty?
§ MR. HIBBERTThe rate of the incidence of the Malt Tax, together with the burdens which accompanied it, on a quarter of barley before the abolition of that Tax, was calculated by my right hon. Friend the First Lord of the Treasury at £1 4s. 6½d. At the present time it appears, from the Brewers' Return annually presented to Parliament, that the equivalent tax on a quarter of barley at the present rate of Beer Duty is almost exactly the same—that is, £1 4s. 6½d. If the Beer Duty is increased from 6s. 3d. to 7s. 3d. a barrel as proposed, the charge on a quarter of barley will be about £1 8s. 5½d.