§ 24. Mr. BRIDGEMANasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will consider the desirability of providing in the Finance Bill for the supply of duty-free rectified spirit to hospitals for the making of tinctures under similar restrictions to those which regulate the supply of absolute alcohol free of duty for purposes of research in clinical laboratories and colleges?
§ Mr. LLOYD GEORGEThe general question of the use of spirit is under consideration, but I am afraid that it would not be possible to grant this particular exemption.
§ Mr. BRIDGEMANIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that the London Hospital alone has spent £256 on tinctures of this kind, of which £229 is duty, and could he not, at any rate, make an exemption in favour of tinctures and solutions of iodine; I think it will be easier to do that?
§ Mr. LLOYD GEORGEI could supply the hon. Gentleman with the reasons given to me by the Customs as to the difficulty of making a discrimination. I will hand the paper over to him.