HL Deb 26 June 1934 vol 93 cc165-6
LORD CLWYD

My Lords, I beg to ask the Question standing in my name.

[The Question was as follows:—To ask His Majesty's Government what was the amount, in pounds sterling, of the net excise revenue of India for the years 1930–31, 1931–32 and 1932–33 respectively; what was the recorded consumption of country spirits in 1932–33 in Bengal, Madras, Bombay, Sind, Bihar and Orissa, the United Provinces, the Punjab, the Central Provinces and Berar, Assam and Burma respectively; and what was the percentage of excise revenue as compared with the total revenue accruing to the Provincial Governments in each, case for the year 1932–33.]

THE PRESIDENT OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION (VISCOUNT HALIFAX)

My Lords, the reply involves several tables of figures. My noble friend will appreciate that these would not be easy to follow and with his permission I propose to circulate them in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Following are the figures:

1. Net excise revenue of India (converted into sterling at 1s. 6d. per rupee):

Year. £
1930–31 12,581,942
1931–32 11,143,495
1932–33 11,168,278
The revenue is almost entirely received in rupees and the net figures represent gross receipts less refunds. Compensations are shown in the accounts under expenditure and have not been taken into account.

2. Recorded consumption of country spirits in 1932–33:*

Proof gallons.
Bengal 271,001
Madras 934,255
Bombay †
Sind †
Bihar and Orissa 455,763
United Provinces 443,403
Punjab 281,842
Central Provinces and Berar 188,289‡
Assam 153,053
Burma 44,256
* Excluding outstill areas for which statistics of consumption are not available.
† Figures not available.
‡ Figures for the calendar year 1932.

3. Amount of the gross revenue, the net excise revenue, and the percentage of net excise revenue to gross revenue of the Provincial Governments:

Provincial Government. Gross revenue in 1932–33. Net excise revenue in 1932–33. Percentage of net excise revenue to gross revenue in 1932–33.
Rs. lakhs. Rs. lakhs.
Madras 1,640.2 427.0 26.0
Bombay 1,525.2 350.9 23.0
Bengal 938.0 140.3 14.9
United Provinces. 1,145.2 122.3 10.7
Punjab 1,023.9 92.1 9.0
Burma 780.9 84.6 10.8
Shan States Federation. 34.1 0.7 2.0
Bihar and Orissa. 505.8 120.0 23.7
Central Provinces and Berar. 449.8 57.6 12.8
North - West Frontier Province. 66.2* 9.1 13.8
Assam 219.7 40.4 18.4
Coorg 11.8 2.6 22.5
* Excluding subvention from the Central Government. Compensations have not been deducted from the net revenue figures.