§ 22. Mr. MILLARasked the Minister of Munitions whether bonded spirits can be used for the manufacture of munitions and and of commercial alcohol instead of importing molasses and spirits into this country for that purpose; whether the adoption of such a course would result in the saving of tonnage; and whether there is any reason why a portion of the 156,000,000 gallons of spirits at present in bond should not be used for the purpose above indicated, and why the tonnage previously taken up should not be released for the importation of food instead?
§ The MINISTER of MUNITIONS (Dr. Addison)Bonded spirits, after redistillation, can be used for the purposes indi- 1412 cated in the first part of the question. The question of how the spirits required for the manufacture of munitions and of industrial alcohol, not covered by the output of the yeast distilleries can best be obtained, is now under consideration.
§ Mr. MILLARWill my right hon. Friend answer the second portion, whether the adoption of the course in question would result in a saving of tonnage?
§ Dr. ADDISONIt would not result in a saving of tonnage.