HC Deb 05 July 1920 vol 131 c1113

(1) In lieu of the duties of customs payable on spirits imported into Great Britain or Ireland, there shall, as from the twentieth day of April, nineteen hundred and twenty, be charged, levied and paid, in the case of spirits entitled to preferential rates under Section eight of the Finance Act, 1919, the duties specified in the second column of Part I. of the First Schedule to this Act, and in the case of all other spirits the duties specified in the third column of Part I. of the said Schedule, together in either case with the additional duties specified in Part II. of that Schedule. (2) In lieu of the excise duty payable on spirits distilled in Great Britain or Ireland there shall, as from the twentieth day of April, nineteen hundred and twenty, be charged, levied and paid for every gallon computed at proof of spirits distilled or manufactured by any other process whatsoever in Great Britain or Ireland an excise duty of three pounds twelve shillings and sixpence, together with the additional duties specified in Part III. of the First Schedule to this Act.

And so in proportion for any less quantity."

Motion made, and Question proposed, "That the Clause stand part of the Bill."

Sir D. MACLEAN

Have we passed Clause1?

The CHAIRMAN

Yes; when the right hon. Gentleman rose I was putting Clause3. There being no Amendments on the Paper, I did not look round.

Sir G. YOUNGER

On this Clause, I understand there is some difficulty with regard to price. Has any arrangement been made about it?

Mr. CHAMBERLAIN

The arrangements about prices are being negotiated by the Ministry of Food, and I am not competent to deal with the question, but I understand that sufficient margin is allowed between the selling price and the cost of production to give a reasonable return to all sections of the trade.