§ 57. Mr. LONGBOTTOMasked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury if he is aware that bottles of phosferine are being sold by grocers at 1s. 3d. each, upon which a revenue stamp of 3d. has been affixed, and that similar bottles are being retailed by chemists at 1s. 3d. each without revenue stamp; and, if so, what is the explanation?
§ Mr. PETHICK-LAWRENCEThe prices of medicines are not subject to official control. As regards the Revenue stamp, the law exempts medicines from Medicine Stamp Duty under certain conditions, when they are sold by qualified chemists but not by grocers.
§ Mr. LONGBOTTOMIs the Parliamentary Secretary aware that this is the first of a series of evasions of the Stamp Duty for patent medicines, and, in view of the fact that manufacturers of patent medicines are taking the amount of money hitherto paid in Stamp Duty, will he not consider the advisability of introducing legislation to stop this wholesale profiteering at the expense of the national revenue?
§ Mr. PETHICK-LAWRENCEThis matter arises out of ancient legislation, and if there is proof that any loophole exists I have no doubt the matter will be considered.
§ Mr. LONGBOTTOMDoes not my hon. Friend know that the wholesale price of phosferine is 13s. per dozen, and that the Stamp Duty on this should be 6d. instead of 3d,?
Sir G. HAMILTONCan the Parliamentary Secretary answer my question; whether he knows what the Co-operative Society is charging for these things?
§ Mr. PETHICK-LAWRENCEI have no information on that matter.