§ Mr. PATRICK WHITEasked what the proposed annual duty on spirits would amount to in Ireland if the output of all the Irish distilleries remain the same as they have been for some years past, and what sum per head of the population the gross revenue would amount to per annum?
§ Mr. HOBHOUSEI am afraid that I do not quite understand this question. As the hon. Member is aware, a large proportion of the spirits distilled in Ireland is exported before payment of duty. According to the last Financial Relations Return (House of Commons Paper No. 208 of 1909) the estimated contribution of Ireland to the spirit revenue in 1908–9 was:—
£ Spirits made in United Kingdom 1,948,000 Imported spirits 320,000 2,268,000 If the new rates of duty now being charged had been in operation during 1908–9 and the consumption had remained the same these figures would have been:—
Amounting per head of population to:— s. d. Spirits made in United Kingdom 8 11 Imported spirits 1 6 10 5
| Total contribution— | £ |
| Spirits made in United Kingdom | 4,612,000 |
| Imported spirits | 424,000 |
| 3,036,000 |
§ Mr. PATRICK WHITEWhat part of the question is it that the right hon. Gentleman does not understand?
§ Mr. HOBHOUSEThat part as to what the proposed annual duty would amount to if the output of Irish distilleries remained as for years past. A very considerable part of the output of these distilleries goes abroad, and is not consumed in this country. I have given the hon. Member what information I have.
§ Mr. T. M. HEALYWhen the right hon. Gentleman says it goes abroad does he mean outside the United Kingdom?
§ Mr. HOBHOUSEYes, Sir.