§ MR. FLAVIN (Kerry, N.)I beg to ask Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer whether his attention has been called to the character of some blends of so-called Irish and Scotch malt whiskey; whether he is aware that a blend made up in a bonded warehouse in Scotland, the total amount of which was 2,500 gallons, was composed of about 2,000 gallons of English spirit and about 500 gallons of raw grain patent spirit less than one year old, and was sold to the public as genuine malt whiskey; and, if so, will he state what steps the Treasury intend to take to safeguard the public.
§ MR. AUSTEN CHAMBERLAINI have no information to confirm the allegations made; but if whiskey which is not made of malt is sold as malt whiskey, it is an offence against the Merchandise Marks Act.
§ MR. FLAVINIf I send him a sample made from raw grain spirit, will the right hon. Gentleman take the responsibility of sampling it himself?
§ MR. AUSTEN CHAMBERLAINNo, Sir, I cannot pretend to be an authority on the subject.
§ MR. FLAVINYou might do your best by trying it.