HL Deb 27 July 1939 vol 114 cc638-40

4.25 p.m.

LORD CLWYD

My Lords, I beg to ask the Question which stands in my name on the Paper.

[The Question was as follows: To ask His Majesty's Government what was the quantity, value in pounds sterling, and source of foreign potable spirits imported into India during the years 1932–1933 and 1937–1938 respectively.]

THE MARQUESS OF ZETLAND

My Lords, I have here the figures which are required to answer the noble Lord's Question, but since they are necessarily in tabular form I would, with his permission, circulate them with the OFFICIAL REPORT. I may say, broadly speaking, that the figures show that while the value of the imported potable spirits into India in the later date was rather higher than in the earlier date, the actual quantity was appreciably lower, the actual figures being, so far as value is concerned, £608,754 in the later date, and £605,295 in the earlier date, and the quantities being 521,765 gallons in the later date, as compared with 541,276 gallons in the earlier date. But the detailed figures with regard to countries of origin and so on will be included in the tabular statement which I am circulating.

LORD CLWYD

My Lords, I am much obliged to the noble Marquess for the information he has given, and I cordially assent to the course which he has proposed.

The figures referred to are as follows: Quantity and value of potable spirits (Brandy, Gin, Liqueurs, Rum and Whisky) imported into India during the years, 1932–3 and 1937–8, showing countries from which exported.

Countries. Quantities. Value*
1932–3. 1937–8. 1932–3. 1937–8.
Gallons. Gallons. £ £
United Kingdom (including Channel Islands). 419,519 401,115 473,702 469,267
Other British Possessions. 511 835 569 1,126
Germany 4,117 2,053 2,662 1,769
France 111,266 109,204 122,444 128,501
Netherlands 3,816 6,220 2,597 4,478
United States of America. 637 871 1,781 1,828
Other Foreign Countries.† 1,410 1,467 1,540 1,785
Total 541,276 521,765 605,295 608,754
* Conversion rate 1S. 6d. = 1 Rupee.
† The figures shown against "Other Foreign Countries" may include small quantities exported from the foreign countries shown in the statement.