§ MR. WALRONDI beg to ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he can state what is the average alcoholic strength of the wines respectively imported from France, Spain, Portugal, Italy, and Australia.
§ MR. ASQUITHThe only materials available for supplying the information asked for by the hon. Member are those contained in the annual Parliamentary Return of Wines Imported (House of Commons 81 of 1907). The estimated average alcoholic strength of wines imported in cask from the countries mentioned is: —
| France | 19.36 | degrees. |
| Spain | 28.83 | „ |
| Portugal | 35.04 | „ |
| Italy | 26.49 | „ |
| Australia | 25.62 | „ |
§ As explained in the foot-note to the Return to which I have referred, there is practically no information as to the exact strength of wines imported in bottle, and the figures I have given are only approximately correct as regards wines in cask.