§ 9. Mr. W. Yatesasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies by how much the annual total of excise revenue on locally brewed beer in British Guiana has been increased during this financial year, following the increased excise duty levied last year.
§ Mr. J. AmeryThe British Guiana Government expect a fall in yield of nearly 4 per cent.
§ Mr. W. YatesI thank my hon. Friend for that satisfactory reply. He did not give the figure, so it is a loss. Whereas I gladly admit that I am a shareholder of this pioneer company, may I ask the Under-Secretary to bear in mind that it is all very well for Colonial Governments to arrange for a tax-free period for these pioneer companies, but there are other methods of raising tax, such as increasing the excise? I do not consider this to be particularly fair. Will he bear some of these points in mind in regard to future pioneer companies in the Caribbean and elsewhere?
§ Mr. AmeryI will certainly bear my hon. Friend's point in mind. He will appreciate that the incidence of the tax has been such that the manufacturer has not felt it necessary to pass it on to the consumer.