§ Mr. KILBRIDEasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he can state the amount of the highest compromise fine inflicted during the past 12 months on brewers who entered a false specific gravity?
§ Mr. HOBHOUSEIt would be contrary to precedent to give the information asked for by the hon. Member, and my right hon. Friend regrets that he is unable to do so.
§ Mr. JEREMIAH MacVEAGHCan the right hon. Gentleman tell the House of Commons what is the object of concealing the malpractices of those brewers? When they have engaged in fraud why should we not be told about it?
§ Mr. HOBHOUSEVery often these errors do not in the least defraud the 808 State, and it would be very undesirable to pillory as a person committing a fraud a person who merely committed an error.
§ Mr. J. MacVEAGHIs there any reason why the Treasury should not tell us the amounts of the fines that have been inflicted, and as you have inflicted fines of over £100,000, is that a matter of no importance?
§ Mr. HOBHOUSEI do not say it is a matter of no importance, but the right hon. Gentleman is not prepared to give the information.
§ Mr. KILBRIDECan the right hon. Gentleman say whether the errors have taken place before the introduction of the Finance Bill or since?
§ Mr. J. MacVEAGHCan the right hon. Gentleman tell us why those brewers who have been engaged in defrauding the revenue have not been prosecuted?
§ Mr. HOBHOUSEAs far as I am informed it is not a case of fraud at all.
§ Mr. J. MacVEAGHYou are not informed correctly.