§ 54. Brigadier - General Sir HENRY CROFTasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many standard barrels of beer were charged for duty in 1914, 1930, and 1932, respectively; and what was the duty levied upon beer in those three years?
Mr. CHAMBERLAINThe numbers of standard barrels of beer charged with Excise Duty in the three calendar years 1914, 1930, and 1932 were respectively 34,745,000, 18,839,000, and 13,248,000. The amounts of Excise Duty charged thereon were £15,591,000, £71,961,000, and £70,339,000. The figure for 1914 includes the whole of Ireland, while the figures for 1930 and 1932 include Great Britain and Northern Ireland only. The rates of duty in the respective years were 7s. 9d., 103s., and 134s. per standard barrel, subject as regards 1930 and 1932 to a rebate of 20s. per bulk barrel.
Viscountess ASTORWill the right hon. Gentleman tell us whether the brewers still pay from 5 per cent, to 55 per cent. dividends?