HC Deb 11 May 1959 vol 605 cc915-6

Motion made, and Question proposed, That the Schedule be the First Schedule to the Bill.

Mr. Redhead

There is one question on the Schedule which puzzles me in view of the Chancellor's passionate desire to be very fair and reasonable in these reductions in duty on beer. The right hon. Gentleman provides in the First Schedule a reduced standard rate of duty per bulk barrel from 155s.4½d., to 111s. 9½d., which gives a net reduction of 43s. 7d. to which the right hon. Gentleman has previously referred. But has the right hon. Gentleman omitted to take notice of the fact that there are two lines on the Schedule and that on the top line reference is made to a beer of 1030 degrees or less and in the bottom line to beer exceeding 1030 degrees? According to the Customs and Excise Report, the average gravity of beer bought in this country is something over 1037. Nevertheless, the Chancellor has not made any corresponding reduction in the charge of 6s. 7½d. for each additional degree over 1030. That does not seem to me an entirely equitable arrangement, except that perhaps the right hon. Gentleman is trying to encourage brewers to concentrate on the weaker rather than the stronger beer. Can the right hon. Gentleman explain that point?

The Paymaster-General (Mr. Reginald Maudling)

Having a shot at this point, I think the answer is that the Chancellor wished to reduce the duty by 2d. a pint in every case and not by more than 2d. in some cases.

Mr. H. Wilson

Is not the real truth that neither the Chancellor nor his colleagues has the remotest idea of the answer to the question which my hon. Friend the Member for Walthamstow, West (Mr. Redhead) has put? This is an important question. The Chancellor looked along the Treasury Bench. Obviously, the Economic Secretary would have no clue about this. The Financial Secretary, who was here a moment ago, has disappeared. Therefore, when in trouble, the thing to do is to send for the Paymaster-General. The President of the Board of Trade is not here. He is making bricks in some other part of the world, without straw. The Paymaster-General is asked to answer. Although the right hon. Gentleman has made a noble effort, does not the Chancellor admit that nobody on the Treasury Bench has the remotest idea of the answer?

Mr. Maudling

Since speaking, I have confirmed that what I said was correct.

Question put and agreed to.

Schedule agreed to.