§ 46. Sir W. DAVISONasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer the total amount raised by Beer Duty to the nearest available date in the current financial year; and how this compares with the Estimates given to the House last year?
Mr. CHAMBERLAINThe approximate amount of revenue derived from the Beer Duty during the period from 1st April, 1932, to 31st January, 1933, was £64,554,000; the Budget Estimate for the financial year ending 31st March, 1933, was 280,000,000.
§ Sir W. DAVISONDoes my right hon. Friend not recognise that the friendly warnings which he received a year ago as to the likelihood of this taxation being seriously diminished if it were retained at its present penal amount were justified?
Mr. CHAMBERLAINMy hon. Friend is comparing 10 months with 12, and it is perhaps too soon to draw a final conclusion.