§ 58. Mr. Evelyn Walkdenasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether, in view of the illicit trading in whiskey and wine and the high prices of wines and spirits, he will move for a Select Committee to take evidence as to the general causes of the practices now obtaining in the trade to augment their short supplies, of profiteering and illicit trading; and to report on the best methods to adopt to rectify the growing menace to the licensing trade?
Major Lloyd GeorgeNo, Sir. I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply which I gave to him on 18th December last.
§ Mr. WalkdenIs it not a fact that the colossal inflation of prices has thrown out of alignment all theories and principles of equity in levying taxation and Excise duties and that colossal sums are regularly being missed by the Chancellor of the Exchequer?
Major Lloyd GeorgeI think it would be very much better to address that question to my right hon. Friend.