HC Deb 06 July 1904 vol 137 cc790-1
MR. MACVEAGH (Down, S.)

To ask Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he has yet formulated any experimental scheme for the production and sale of alcohol for manufacturing and industrial purposes; whether he is aware that alcohol can be manufactured at fourpence a gallon from such materials as bad potatoes and mildewed grain; whether his attention has been drawn to the extent of German trade in this respect; and whether he intends to allow such spirits to be blended in bonded warehouses and sold as pure whiskey.

MR. AUSTEN CHAMBERLAIN

I am not quite clear as to what the hon. Member refers. I would, however, refer him to Section 8 of the Finance Act, 1902. I may at the same time mention that I am considering whether it would be advisable to alter the present law which prohibits the sale of methylated spirit by retailers in quantities of more than one gallon. As regards the cost of certain forms of alcohol, and its composition, and the extent of the German trade in such forms of alcohol, I have seen statements to the effect (more or less) of those made by the hon. Member, but I have no official information on the subject. And, with reference to his last Question, I have nothing to add to the reply given to the hon. Member on Wednesday the 22nd June† to a somewhat similar Question.

MR. MACVEAGH

Cannot the right hon. Gentleman get information from the Customs officials as to the extent of the German trade?

MR. AUSTEN CHAMBERLAIN

I do not think I can. They cannot get information as to the sources from which the spirit is obtained. When spirit is imported as silent spirit it is absolutely impossible by any analysis to say how it has been made. It is pure spirit and nothing but that.

MR. THOMAS-O'DONNELL (Kerry, W.)

What is silent spirit?

MR. AUSTEN CHAMBERLAIN

Absolutely pure spirit.

MAJOR JAMESON (Clare, W.)

Cannot the right hon. Gentleman ascertain the quantity of the spirit imported from Germany.

MR. AUSTEN CHAMBERLAIN

Yes, I could obtain that, but I could not say how it was made, whether from potatoes or mildewed grain. I have no means of arriving at the sources from which it is manufactured.

MR. KILBRIDE (Kildare, S.)

Have you any information as to the amount of such spirit blended in the bonded warehouses and sold as whiskey?

* MR. SPEAKER

Order, order! That does not arise out of the Answer.