§ Mr. PATRICK WHITEasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, having regard to the decrease in the consumption of spirits in consequence of the new Budget duties without any appreciable increase in the consumption of beer, he will, in fairness to retail licensed traders, postpone any increase in licence duties until the increased Spirit Duty has been in operation for at least one year, and when it may be possible to form an accurate estimate of its permanent effect on the trade; and whether he will delay asking for a new valuation for the purpose of a licence duty until the business has passed its transition state, and when the new conditions under which the trade has to be carried on have had time to fully develop?
§ Mr. HOBHOUSEIt was anticipated that the increase of the duties on spirits would cause a decrease in the consumption, but, I am afraid, I cannot undertake to postpone the increase in the licence duties or to delay asking for a new valuation for the purpose of those duties.