§ Mr. ARKWRIGHTasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was his estimate of the spirit retailer's off-licence, the beer retailer's off-licence, and the wine retailer's off-licence on the basis of the sales contained in the Finance Bill as introduced; and what is his estimate of the yield of the duties on these licences on the basis of the sales contained in the Amendments of which he has given notice?
§ Mr. HOBHOUSEMy right hon. Friend's estimate of £2,600,000, as the anticipated increase of Licence Duties generally, was arrived at by reference to the existing number of licences, allowance being made for a possible reduction of those numbers in consequence of the increased duties. I am afraid I am not in a position to give an estimate of the yield of the particular licences referred to in the question.
§ Mr. J. C. FLYNNCan the right hon. Gentleman give any idea how the estimate as regards Ireland was arrived at?
§ Mr. HOBHOUSEIt is not possible in an answer to questions to give details showing how estimates are arrived at.
§ Mr. G. YOUNGERCan the right hon. Gentleman tell the House how many licences were in that particular estimate assumed to be extinguished?
§ Mr. HOBHOUSEI do not think I am able to do that.
§ Mr. JOYNSON-HICKSHas the right hon. Gentleman no estimate of the effects of the Amendments to be proposed this afternoon?
§ Mr. HOBHOUSEIt is hardly convenient at Question Time to anticipate the Debate to be taken later in the sitting.
§ Mr. GEORGE D. FABER (York)asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what decrease he anticipates in the yield of Licence Duties under the Finance Bill as compared with his original estimate if the concessions in regard to the duties on off-licences contained in the Amendments of which he has given notice are embodied in the Bill?
§ Mr. HOBHOUSEI would refer the hon. Member to my answer to the hon. Member for Hereford.
§ Mr. G. D. FABERWhat is the estimated decrease in the £2,600,000 which was the estimated increase in the Licence Duty, by reason of the concessions now foreshadowed by the Chancellor of the Exchequer?
§ Mr. HOBHOUSEIt is impossible to give that.
§ Mr. G. D. FABERHave the Government agreed to make these concessions without considering what they represent in money?
§ Mr. HOBHOUSEI do not think all concessions are to be measured by the amount of money they represent?
§ Mr. G. D. FABERThen by what is a concession to be measured—is it by votes?
§ Mr. HOBHOUSEConcessions are usually looked upon as acts of grace.
§ Mr. JOYNSON-HICKSWhat is the estimate of the amount of money that will be received if the Bill passes with the proposals to be made this afternoon?
§ Mr. ROBERT DUNCANWill the right hon. Gentleman publish the figures?