§ MR. T. M. HEALY (Louth, N.)I beg to ask Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer if he would state the total quantity of spirit distilled in England during the year 1902, and how much was used for methylation, rectifying, and compounding purposes; whether any 24 English spirit is used as whisky in Excise or Customs warehouses in Leith; and, if so, what is the total quantity despatched thereto from distilleries in England; what are the materials from which English spirit is usually distilled; and, if any beet molasses from abroad is used in its manufacture.
§ THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUER (Mr. RITCHIE,) CroydonThe total quantity of spirits distilled in England during the year ended March 31st, 1903, was 11,295,563 proof gallons. The quantity of home-made spirits used for methylation, for the same period, was 3,574,733 proof gallons. I have no means of knowing the quantities used for rectifying and compounding. English spirit is used in the warehouses at Leith, but I have no means of knowing the quantities. The materials from which the English spirit is usually distilled are malt, un-malted grain, molasses, sugar, glucose, and rice. No doubt beet molasses is used to some extent, but I have no means of knowing the quantities.
§ MR. T. M. HEALYasked what became of the 8,000,000 gallons of English spirit that was not sold as such.
§ MR. RITCHIEI cannot say.
§ MR. T. M. HEALYWill the right hon. Gentleman inquire whether it is not sold as Scotch or Irish?
§ No reply was given.