§ MR. JAMES O'CONNOR () Wicklow, W.I beg to ask Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer whether the retail purchaser of a bottle of wine fortified in bond has any means of knowing how much spirit the bottle contains and how much wine.
§ SIR M. HICKS BEACHIt is not possible for the retail purchaser to distinguish in the case of a bottle of wine fortified in bond between the alcohol belonging to the wine and that belonging to the spirits. But, as I stated yesterday, the percentage of spirit which may be used in bond in such a way is strictly limited.
§ MR. T. M. HEALYWould it not be reasonable to provide, under the Merchandise Marks Act, that when a person buys a bottle of wine he shall not be served with fusil oil?
§ SIR M. HICKS BEACHI do not believe they get fusil oil. The hon. and learned Gentleman is mistaken.
§ MR. T. M. HEALYWhy do the Treasury permit a transaction out of which it gets no profit, seeing that no duty is charged on the spirit thus mixed with the wine?
§ SIR M. HICKS BEACHThe practice is allowed for the convenience of the trade, and I am quite sure that if it were stopped considerable trouble would be the result.
§ MR. JAMES O'CONNORDo the Custom House authorities keep a list of the merchants who are permitted to—
§ MR. SPEAKEROrder, order!