§ MR. J. E. REDMOND (Waterford)I beg to ask Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer whether it is his intention to renew in his next Budget the additional duty on spirits imposed by the Finance Act of last year?
§ SIR W. HARCOURTI think the hon. Member, from his experience of the House of Commons, can hardly expect an answer to this question. There is a French saying to the effect that there is no such thing as an indiscreet question, it is only the answer that is indiscreet. Certainly it has never been the practice in this House for a Chancellor of the Exchequer in the middle of March to state what are the arrangements with reference to taxation until the proposal of the Budget.
§ MR. J. REDMONDsaid, the reason why he asked the question with reference to the date of the Budget was, because last year, the right hon. Gentleman stated as a concession that this tax would only last for one year.
§ SIR W. HARCOURTI cannot at present state the exact date of the Budget, whether it will be produced before or after Easter.