§ Mr. BONAR LAWI wish to ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer a question of which I have given him private notice: Whether the Government will postpone the imposition of the new Beer Duty until the question has been definitely settled, in order to prevent any unnecessary disorganisation of the industry?
§ The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER (Mr. Lloyd George)Representations have been made to me in the course of the last few days that a considerable quantity of beer was in course of brewing when I submitted my proposals to the House, and that it is impossible to alter its gravity. Under these conditions, and as there is no question of forestalment with regard to beer—the same difficulty does not apply to beer as to spirits—I propose, when the Resolution comes before the House, to move an Amendment—a modification which will make the Beer Duty apply as from next Tuesday week.