§ 50. Mr. HARDIEasked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury in view of the alleged drinking of methylated spirits in Glasgow, what steps are taken to see that such methylated spirits have been denatured?
§ The FINANCIAL SECRETARY to the TREASURY (Mr. Arthur Michael Samuel)Denaturation is the essential feature of the process of methylation of spirits. This process is confined by law to licensed methylators or authorised distillers or rectifiers. The operations of these traders are under strict control by the officers of Customs and Excise, who see that, in every case, the prescribed denaturants are properly mixed with the spirits.
§ Colonel HOWARD-BURYIn view of the alleged prevalence of this practice in Glasgow, is not the only safeguard to be found in a reduction in the duty upon whisky, thereby ensuring that the people will drink pure alcohol?
§ Mr. BARRWas it not established by the figures published the other day that it is in those very districts of Glasgow where whisky drinking most abounds that the consumption of methylated spirits also abounds?