§ Mr. PATRICK WHITEasked the number of persons engaged in the manufacture of spirits and other trades dependent for their existence on its prosperity; and the estimate of the total number of people likely to be disemployed in the allied trades if the output of spirits was reduced by one-third?
§ Mr. LLOYD GEORGEThe number of persons of all ages occupied in distilleries in the United Kingdom according to the Census reports for 1901 was 3,677. These figures include employers as well as workpeople, and in the case of Ireland only maltsters are included. Data are not 501 available as to the number of persons engaged in other trades dependent for their existence on the prosperity of the manufacture of spirits. As regards the last part of the question, the answer is in the negative.
§ Mr. PATRICK WHITEasked how many working distilleries there were in England, Scotland, Ireland, and Wales, respectively, in the year 1908; and the number in each country which are now active?
§ Mr. LLOYD GEORGEThe number of distilleries which worked during the year ended 30th September, 1908, and 30th September, 1909, respectively, in each of the three countries, was as follows:—
Information is not available as to the number of distilleries active at the present time, and inquiries would have to be made before the figures could be given.
Year ended 30th Sept., 1908 Year ended 30th Sept., 1908 England 8 8 Scotland 132 142 Ireland 26 26
§ Mr. PATRICK WHITEThe right hon. Gentleman has not given the figures for Wales?
§ Mr. LLOYD GEORGEThe only distillery ever set up in Wales is closed.