§ MR. MACVEAGH (Down, S.)I beg to ask Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that English spirit, made mainly from molasses, is used in blending and bottling operations, for home consumption, in Excise or Customs warehouses in Scotland; that operations of this kind are carried on in Government warehouses and under the supervison of Revenue officials; and will he say whether spirit made from molasses is permitted to be described and sold as Scotch whisky, either separately or blended.
§ THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUER (Mr. RITCHIE, Croydon)English spirit made mainly from molasses is not distinguished in the Revenue accounts from spirit manufactured from other materials, and there is nothing to prevent its being used in blending and bottling operations for home consumption in Excise or Customs warehouses in Scotland. The Revenue authorities have no means of knowing how spirits in casks, whether made from molasses or not, is described and sold by the vendor; and they do not interfere with labels or names used on bottles or cases filled or made up in bond, beyond seeing that no label or inscription is used implying official countenance or guarantee of the correctness of the statements made.
§ MR. MACVEAGHDo I understand the right hon. Gentleman to say it is not possible for the Excise to discover whether this "Scotch" whisky is manufactured from molasses and yet sold as Scotch?
§ MR. RITCHIEThe Excise have no power to ask as to what the spirit is made of, or to penalise any particular product.
§ MR. MACVEAGHWill the right hon. Gentleman cause inquiry to be made as to the constituents of Scotch whisky?
§ [No answer was given.]