§ DR. CAMERON (Glasgow, College)asked the Secretary to the Treasury, Whether the Commissioners of Inland Revenue have ordered an importer of Mexican pulque in Edinburgh to take out a wine and spirit licence as a condition of his being allowed to retail that beverage; would he explain under what provisions of the law has the demand been made; whether the alcoholic strength of koumiss is equal or superior to that of pulque; and, whether any wine and spirit licence has ever been acquired in the case of persons retailing koumiss in London?
§ THE SECRETARY (Mr. JACKSON) (Leeds, N.)The Board of Inland Revenue have notified to an importer of Mexican pulque that this alcoholic beverage can only be sold by the holder of a spirit licence. A sample of the pulque in question was found to contain over 10 per cent of proof spirit; it was accordingly charged by the Customs with Spirit Duty, and it can only be sold by the owner of a spirit licence. The alcoholic strength of koumiss is considerably less than that of pulque. No person retailing koumiss in London has ever been required to take out a spirit licence.
§ DR. CAMERONasked, what was the minimum limit of alcoholic strength necessary to bring a liquor within the wine and spirit licence?
§ MR. JACKSONsaid, he could not answer the Question without Notice.
§ DR. CAMERONsaid, he would repeat his Question in a day or two.