HC Deb 02 February 1961 vol 633 cc1178-9
36. Sir Richard Glyn

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many gallons of sweets were withdrawn from bond in the nine months ended on 31st December; and how many gallons of sweets were in bond at that or some other convenient date compared with the same date in 1959.

The Economic Secretary to the Treasury (Mr. Anthony Barber)

I regret that information in respect of December, 1960 is not yet available. I am, however, circulating in the OFFICIAL REPORT a table of figures showing the position as at 30th November, 1960.

Following are the figures:

SWEETS (BRITISH WINES)
Gallons
Quantity withdrawn from bonded warehouses for home use during the eight months from 1st April, 1960, to 30th November, 1960 30
Quantity in bonded warehouses:
(i) on 30th November, 1960 3,556
(ii) on 30th November, 1959 2,377
Quantity sent out for home use from licensed wineries during the eight months from 1st April, 1960, to 30th November, 1960 5,904,048
Quantity in stock at wineries on date of taking stock*:—
(i) between 1st June, 1960 and 30th November, 1960 5,060,366
(ii) between 1st June, 1959 and 30th November, 1959 5,524,090
*Stock in wineries is taken every six months, but not on the same date at all wineries.

37. Sir Richard Glyn

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the total revenue derived from the excise duties on sweets in the nine months ended on 31st December, 1960; and of that total what was attributable under the Fourth Schedule of the Finance Act, 1958, as amended, to still British wines, to sparkling British wines and to dutiable cider and perry.

Mr. Barber

I regret that figures for December, 1960, are not yet available. The total revenue derived from the excise duties on sweets in the eight months ended on 30th November, 1960, was £2,744,179. Of this total, £2,683,058 was attributable to still British wines and £61,121 to sparkling British wines. Separate figures for cider and perry, strengthened to 15 degrees of proof or more, are not available.

Sir R. Glyn

I thank my hon. Friend for those figures. Will he bear in mind that the present duty on cider and perry falls entirely on that part of the industry which uses the greatest proportion of British-grown fruit?

Mr. Barber

I think that my hon. Friend will agree that that is a matter for the Budget, but we will bear in mind what he says.