§ MR. WILLIAM McKILLOP (Sligo, N.)I beg to ask Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will state the total quantity of spirit distilled in England during the year 1903, and how much was used for methylation, rectifying, and compounding purposes; whether any English spirit is used as whisky in Customs warehouses in Leith; and, if so, what is the total quantity despatched thereto from distilleries in England; whether he has any official information showing 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. AUSTEN CHAMBERLAIN,) Worcestershire, E.The total quantity of spirits distilled in England during the year ended 31st March, 1904, was 11,694,851 proof gallons. The quantity of home-made spirits used for methylation during the same period was 4,398,002 proof gallons. I have no means of knowing the quantities used for rectifying and compounding. 33,300 proof gallons of British spirits were despatched to Customs warehouses at Leith from English distilleries during the twelve months ended the 30th of June, 1904. The materials commonly used in the distillation of English spirits are malt, unmalted grain, molasses, sugar, glucose and rice. No doubt beet molasses is used to some extent, but I have no means of knowing the quantities.