§ 4. Sir Richard Glynasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many gallons of sweets were withdrawn from bond in the twelve months ended 31st March, 1961, and the nine months ended 31st December, 1961; and how many gallons of sweets were in bond on 31st March, 1960, and on 31st December, 1961, or other convenient date compared with the same date in 1960.
§ The Economic Secretary to the Treasury (Mr. Anthony Barber)As the reply contains a number of figures, I will, with permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT. I regret that information in respect of December, 1961, is not yet available; the reply therefore shows the position as at 30th November, 1961.
§ Following are the figures:
| SWEETS (BRITISH WINES) | |
| Gallons | |
| Quantity withdrawn from bonded warehouses for home use: | |
| (i) during the twelve months from 1st April, 1960, to 31st March, 1961 | 61 |
| (ii) during the eight months from 1st April, 1961, to 30th November, 1961 | 10 |
| Quantity in bonded warehouse: | |
| (i) on 31st March, 1961 | 3,596 |
| (ii) on 31st March, 1960 | 3,316 |
| (iii) on 30th November, 1961 | 3,874 |
| (iv) on 30th November, 1960 | 3,556 |
| Quantity sent out for home use from licensed wineries: | |
| (i) during the twelve months from 1st April, 1960, to 31st March, 1961 | 7,847,899 |
| (ii) during the eight months from 1st April, 1961, to 30th November, 1961 | 5,257,446 |
| Quantity in stock at wineries on date of staking stock*: | |
| (i) between 1st October, 1960, and 31st March, 1961 | 5,328,468 |
| (ii) between 1st October, 1959, and 31st March, 1960 | 4,894,996 |
| (iii) between 1st June, 1961, and 30th November, 1961 | 5,551,643 |
| (iv) between 1st June, 1960, and 30th November, 1960 | 5,060,366 |
| * Stock in wineries is taken every six months, but not on the same date at all wineries. |
§ 5. Sir Richard Glynasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the total revenue derived from the excise duties on sweets in the nine months ended 31st December, 1961; and, of that total, how much was attributable under Schedule 4 of the Finance Act, 1958, as amended, to still British wines, to sparkling British wines and to dutiable cider and perry, respectively.
§ Mr. BarberI regret that figures for December, 1961, are not yet available. The total revenue derived from the excise duties on sweets in the eight months ended on 30th November, 1961, was £2,687,057. Of this total, £2,628,069 was attributable to still British wines and £58,988 to sparkling British wines. Separate figures for cider and perry, strengthened to 15 degrees of proof or more, are not available.
§ Sir Richard GlynWhile thanking my hon. Friend for that Answer, may I ask him whether he will bear in mind the fact that the duty on cider and perry bears heavily on a small industry which uses a great deal of home-produced 380 apples and pears? Will he also bear in mind that this industry will be particularly exposed to the biting effects of the winds of change should Britain enter the Common Market?
§ Mr. BarberMy hon. Friend has on a number of occasions discussed the difficulties which face this side of the industry, but as this is a budgetary matter I cannot, of course, say more about it today other than that my right hon. and learned Friend will bear in mind what has been said.