§ MR. LEA (St. Pancras, E.)I beg to ask Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will insert in his Revenue Bill the proposal which was dropped last year for imposing a tax on the manufacturers of the alcoholic beverages known as basis wines, in view of their competition with imported wines, due to the fact that they do not contribute to the revenue.
§ MR. ASQUITHThe proposal was to impose a licence Duty with a view to bringing the manufacture of British wines under excise supervision not to put a tax on the product itself. The matter is receiving my careful consideration, and I will make a statement at a later date.
§ MR. LEAMight I point out that one of the effects of the absence of a tax on these beverages has been a loss of confidence on the part of the wine-consuming public, who for years past have had stuff manufactured in London foisted on them as the produce of the Gironde and Côte d'Or.
§ MR. ASQUITHI know that is the suggestion.