§ Sir THOMAS BRAMSDONasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he can state what would approximately be the loss on the Spirit Tax if a return were allowed of the additional duty on spirits which are largely employed in the preparation of drugs and on brandy prescribed for the use of patients to public hospitals, infirmaries, and dispensaries established and mainly supported by voluntary contributions for the relief of the poor and indigent; and if he has any reason to suppose that the officers of those institutions could not be relied upon to make an accurate return of the spirits so used?
§ Mr. HOBHOUSEMy right hon. Friend has no data which would enable him to give the information required by my hon Friend. Except in the case of drugs prepared on the premises, he does not see how the officers of the institutions in question would be able to make an accurate return of the amount or strength of the spirits used.