HC Deb 05 August 1912 vol 41 cc2880-2

Section 10 of The Finance Act, 1911, as far as it authorises regulations prohibiting or restricting the mixture for sale of any British wine with any foreign wine, or the sale or the exposure for sale of any such mixture, is hereby repealed, and in lieu thereof the Commissioners of Customs and Excise may make regulations prohibiting the sale or exposure for sale of any such mixture, except under a description clearly indicating that it is a mixture or blend of British and foreign wines, and the above-mentioned section shall apply to a breach of any such regulation.

Motion made and Question proposed, "That the Clause be read a second time."

Mr. HILLS

I feel bound to move this Clause, which embodies a very important question. In the Budget of last year a Clause was inserted enabling the revenue imposing conditions, or prohibiting the blending of British wines with foreign wines. The effect of the prohibition made by the special order of the Customs and Excise last March forbids the adding of more than 15 per cent. of foreign wines to home made wines. Now a blended British wine is very cheap and perfectly wholesome and is made under the best conditions. All the factories for the purpose are open to factory inspection, and are clean and well-managed. The effect of the prohibition in the Budget of last year will be to completely kill this trade, which is a perfectly fair trade. There is no deception in wines sold as a blend. If I had time I could make out a very strong case in view of the fact that under the prohibition the only persons who will benefit are the importers of cheap foreign wines. Indeed, after the passing of the Budget of last year, a large foreign firm advertised the fact that the blending of British wines with foreign wines was illegal. I do think that a very grave mistake has been made. I am certain it was not the intention of the Government and I appeal to them to put the matter right. You are doing this trade harm and are depriving people of a perfectly wholesome drink.

Mr. LLOYD GEORGE

I am afraid we cannot possibly accept this Amendment. It is very desirable that fraud should be prevented.

Mr. HILLS

This is a perfectly unanswerable case, and I know there is no fraud.

Mr. LLOYD GEORGE

I am putting the case of the Customs and Excise, which is that this kind of thing ought not to be done except under the most careful regulations. The hon. Member knows perfectly well that the trade is by no means united on this question. There ought to be some sort of protection against things being done which are a fraud on the public.

Mr. HILLS

Certainly.

Mr. LLOYD GEORGE

Then I carry the hon. Member with me. If the regulations are in any way too strict, it is purely a matter of regulation and not of altering the law. If the hon. Member can point out that the regulations are too strict, I shall be very happy to consider the matter.

Mr. HILLS

I certainly accept that offer, and ask leave to withdraw the Clause.

Proposed Clause, by leave, withdrawn.