§ MR. KILBRIDE (Kildare, S.)I beg ask Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that the Board of Customs and Inland Revenue have received two applications from a firm asking the Inland Revenue Department to guarantee the age of their whisky on the Canadian system; and whether, as this firm deals exclusively in unblended spirits of uniform quality, he will give instructions that their application shall be acceded to.
§ MR. AUSTEN CHAMBERLAINI am aware such applications have been received. It would, however, be quite out of the question to accord to particular firms a system not applicable to the trade as a whole, since it would give such firms an unfair advantage. Unless, therefore, a Government guarantee is to be given to all who apply for it (and that is not possible), it ought not to be given to any.
§ MR. MACVEAGHLast week the right hon. Gentleman said this could not be done because most of the whisky was sold blended in this country. Why cannot it be done in Ireland?
§ MR. AUSTEN CHAMBERLAINBecause the trade there is also mainly in blended spirits of various ages.
§ MR. MACVEAGHNot in Ireland.
§ MR. AUSTEN CHAMBERLAINI think so.
§ MR. MACVEAGHNo, it is not.