§ MR. CHILDERS (Edinburgh, S.) (for Mr. W. E. GLADSTONE) (Edinburgh, Mid Lothian)asked Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer, Whether he can lay upon the Table a Return showing the rates of duty upon bottled wine chargeable since 1860; the quantities of bottled wine imported from France, Germany, and the Colonies, and the total quantities in 1882 and each subsequent year; and 26 the estimated quantities of low and high-priced wines respectively?
§ THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUER (Mr. GOSCHEN) (St. George's, Hanover Square)Such a Return could be furnished; but the whole of the information on the subject is contained in a Parliamentary Paper, No. 278, of the Session of 1879, and practically there is no later information than that, for, as my right hon. Friend is aware, there has been no special duty upon bottled wines since 1866. With regard to the further Question as to statistics of bottled wines imported from France, Germany, and the Colonies, no separate account has been kept at the Custom House of the wines imported in casks and in bottles; therefore these statistics are not available without a search, which would take some considerable time. In the same way there are no statistics as to the estimated quantities of high and low priced wines, and to obtain them would necessitate a search over a period of eight or nine years.
§ MR. W. E. GLADSTONE (who had now taken his seat)—I quite understand the statement of the right hon. Gentleman that a distinct answer to the question cannot be given; and, consequently, we must consider the matter without the advantage of any definite information.