§ SIR JOSEPH M'KENNAasked Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer, Whether he can state any reason why the anomalous and inequitable distinction is maintained in favour of English spirit merchants or dealers which permits a trader in England, who has taken out a ten guineas spirit licence, to obtain a further licence at a cost of three guineas, and under such second licence to sell spirits in bottles and smaller quantities than two gallons, not to be consumed on the premises, whilst this latter facility is denied to Irish and Scotch spirit merchants?
§ THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUER (Mr. CHILDERS)In reply to the hon. Gentleman, I have to say that the seller of spirits (other than a licensed victualler) has, in one respect, advan- 475 tages in England over Ireland and Scotland; and, in another respect, he has advantages in Ireland and Scotland over England. On the one hand, a licence to retail spirits costs much less in Ireland and Scotland than in England. In Ireland, the minimum rate is £9 18s. 5d.,and in Scotland £4 4s., whereas in England it is £13 13s. On the other hand, the wholesale spirit dealer, wishing to be also a retail dealer, pays more in Ireland and Scotland than in England. In England he only pays the sum I have named—£13 13s.—whereas in Ireland and Scotland he pays £10 10s., besides the retail licence, the minimum rates of which I have also mentioned. The wholesale dealer, who does not retail, pays the same—£10 10s.—in each part of the United Kingdom. I admit that the whole of these licences are anomalous; but I am indisposed to undertake their re-adjustment in the present Session.