§ 88 and 89. Mr. HANNONasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) the amount received from the duty on beer from 1st April, 1922, to 25th November, 1922; how far this amount falls short of the Estimates as covering this period of the financial year; if he will take into favourable consideration in the preparation of next year's Budget a substantial reduction of the present high duty on beer of 100s. per barrel;
(2) whether, in view of the adverse effect on the Scottish whisky trade of the present high duty on spirits, whereby much unemployment is caused, and in view of the fact that the diminished output of spirits is prejudicing the British yeast trade, he will, in the preparation of his forthcoming Budget, consider the desirability of reducing the spirit duty from 72s. 6d. per proof gallon to, at most, 50s. per proof gallon?
§ 85. Colonel Sir A. HOLBROOKasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will consider the repeal of the table-water duties, the effect of which has been to compel hundreds of firms in this trade to shut down, and in consequence thousands of the employés have been thrown out of work?
§ Mr. BALDWINMy hon. Friends may rest assured that in formulating proposals for meeting the expenditure of the coming financial year careful attention will be 1995 given to all relevant considerations affecting the various duties. The receipt from the Beer Duty in Great Britain and Ireland from 1st April to 30th November, 1922, was £71,016,000, which is in excess of the proportion of the Estimate for the year.