§ MR. MACVEAGHI beg to ask Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will cause instructions to be issued to the excise officials to prevent the use of beet molasses, decayed and damaged maize, the refuse of the sugar refineries, and other such inferior and injurious substances in the manufacture of patent-still spirit for potable purposes; and whether he is aware that such spirit distilled in England is that which is now almost exclusively used in the tied houses owned by brewers and sold to the public as Scotch whisky.
§ *MR. RITCHIEThe Board of Inland Revenue have no authority to interfere with the discretion of distillers as regards the materials used by them. I have no reason to believe that materials 1398 injurious to health are used in the distilleries of the United Kingdom; and I am satisfied that the hon. Member's allegation with regard to tied houses, owned by brewers, is an unwarrantable reflection upon a trade that, with possibly a few rare exceptions, is, in my opinion, honestly and honourably conducted.
§ MR. MACVEAGHIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that Scotch whisky sold in tied houses costs ninepence a gallon?
§ MR. JOYCE (Limerick)Warranted to kill at forty rods!
§ No answer was returned.