§ MR. ERNEST GRAY (West Ham, N.)To ask Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer whether his attention has been drawn to the fact that ether from pure spirit should be used in the manufacture of certain articles required by the War Office; that this spirit is subject to a heavy duty, and hence, if the article is to be manufactured at a reasonable price, methylated ether must be substituted for the pure, or the contract sent abroad where manufacturers obtain spirit duty free for manufacturing purposes; and whether, under these circumstances, he would consider the desirability of permitting the manufacture of such goods in bond under practicable conditions, or of allowing in the price paid by the War Office for the duty received by the Excise.
(Answered by Mr. Austen Chamberlain.) Section 8 of the Finance Act of 1902 appears to cover such cases as the hon. Member has in view. Manufacturers desiring to be allowed the benefit of that section should address an application to the Board of Inland Revenue, by whom it will be carefully considered.