§ MR. LEATo ask Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he is aware that distillers are prevented from distilling until a certain interval of time has elapsed from the end of the brewing period; whether, in consequence of this delay distillers possessing ripe wash sustain additional loss by way of acetification, etc.; and will he state what object is served by the enforcement of this regulation, and the number of instances of fraud on the Revenue brought to light within the last ten years by the application of this restriction.
(Answered by Mr. Asquith.) The replies to the first and third questions were contained in my Answer to a Question which the hon. Member asked on the 6th inst. As regards the second Question, it is possible that in some cases this may occur to a very limited extent. As regards the fourth question, no instances of fraud have occurred in the last ten years.