§ Mr. FELLasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is the Customs duty levied per gallon of spirits contained in French claret and other wines; and does he propose to increase the Customs duties on these wines so that the spirit contained in them will be charged approximately the same as the Excise duty charged on Scotch and Irish spirits?
§ Mr. LLOYD-GEORGEIt is not possible to make any general statement such as that suggested in the first part of the question, owing to the great variation in the alcoholic strength of the wines imported. Under the existing scale wines are divided into two classes according to their alcoholic strength, but the duty on any particular wine does not vary with the exact quantity of proof spirit which it contains. I do not propose to alter the existing scale of duties.
§ Mr. FELLIs it a fact that two and a half gallons of wine, or about a gallon of spirits, would be taxed at only 5s. 6d., and that a gallon of spirit would be taxed at 42s.?
§ Mr. LLOYD-GEORGEI certainly do not think that arises out of the question.