§ MR. MACVEAGH (Down, S)I beg to ask Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that spirits, being a blend of German spirits, are permitted, with the cognisance of the Inland Revenue officials, as pure British spirit, and in the case of so-called brandy as foreign brandy; and whether, in view of the provisions of the Merchandise Marks Act, legal proceedings will be instituted by the Inland Revenue in any such cases which come to their knowledge.
§ MR. AUSTEN CHAMBERLAINGerman spirits are not allowed to be blended with British spirits in bond, nor are they allowed to be described as British spirits in bond, or when issued from bond. The Board of Inland Revenue have no knowledge of what may be done with such spirits after they have passed out of Revenue charge; nor have they any power of control after the spirits have so passed.
§ MR. MOONEY (Dublin County, S.)Is it not the fact that after spirits have been taken out of bond they are still under the control of the Revenue authorities, inasmuch as a certificate must be given?
§ MR. AUSTEN CHAMBERLAINNo; the permit is to remove them in bond, I understand. After they have passed out of bond they are not under the control of the Revenue authorities, nor are the Revenue authorities the proper authorities for enforcing the Merchandise Marks Act.
§ MR. MOONEYBut does not the permit given when the spirit is taken out of bond describe the nature of the spirit?
§ MR. AUSTEN CHAMBERLAINasked for notice of any further Questions.