§ MR. JAMES O'CONNOR (Wicklow, W.)I beg to ask Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer, (1) whether, some months ago, it came to the knowledge of the Inland Revenue Commissioners that a wine merchant of O'Connell Street, Dublin, was found to have reduced the alcoholic strength of wines in bond before clearing for duty, and by this means succeeded in releasing the wines at the rate of 1s. a gallon duty, instead of at the rate of 2s. 6d. a gallon; (2) on how many occasions was this fraud perpetrated upon the Revenue; (3) what was the fine for each case; and, (4) what was the amount of the fine imposed by the Revenue Commissioners?
§ THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUERThe answer to the first paragraph is in the affirmative. The Revenue authorities cannot state on how many occasions this offence was committed. A fine of £300 was imposed by the Commissioners of Inland Revenue.