14. Dr. Bennettasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that his policy of disproportionately heavy taxation of heavy wines is now encouraging the blending of light wines, paying I3s. a gallon duty, with small quantities of stronger liquors to produce so-called heavy wines whose duty paid is in the neighbourhood of only 20s. a gallon, as against 50s. a gallon for genuine sherries or ports; and whether, in fairness to the genuine heavy wines, he will reduce their duties to a level more proportionate to that on light wines.
§ Mr. PowellMy hon. Friend has tabled an Amendment on this subject to the Finance Bill and I ought not to anticipate debate upon it.
Dr. BennettWill my hon. Friend anticipate the debate to the extent of considering reducing the duty on the one rather than putting up the duty on the other, in order to meet this difficulty?
§ Mr. PowellCertainly study will be given in advance to my hon. Friend's new Clause.
§ Mr. NabarroIn view of the special relationship between Britain and her oldest ally in Western Europe, namely, Portugal, will my hon. Friend say what influence the policy in the Finance Bill 583 will have upon restoring our traditional imports of large quantities of port from Portugal?
§ Mr. PowellI think we had better wait and see what transpires in the discussion.