§ Sir THOMAS BRAMSDONasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he could state what would approximately be the loss on the spirit tax if a return were allowed of the additional duty on spirits which are largely employed in the preparation of drugs and on brandy prescribed for the use of patients to public hospitals, in- 2422W firmaries, and dispensaries established and mainly supported by voluntary contributions for the relief of the poor and indigent; and if he has any reason to suppose that the officers of those institutions could not be relied upon to make an accurate return of the spirits so used?
§ Mr. HOBHOUSEMy right hon. Friend has no data which would enable him to give the information required by my hon. Friend. Except in the case of drugs prepared on the premises, he does not see how the officers of the institutions in question would be able to make an accurate return of the amount or strength of the spirits used.
§ Sir WILLIAM BULLasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether his estimate of an increase in revenue of £1,600,000 from the new Spirit Duties for the current year is corroborated by the Trade Returns for the month of June?
§ Mr. HOBHOUSENothing has come to-the notice of my right hon. Friend which would induce him to modify his estimate of the revenue to be derived from the additional duty on spirits in the year ending 31st March, 1910.
§ Sir WILLIAM BULLasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what has been the sale of spirits during the month of June; and if the figures confirm the estimate that the licensed victuallers are making a profit at the rate of £4,000,000 a year?
§ Mr. HOBHOUSEI have no means of furnishing the hon. Member with the information asked for in the latter part of the question. The amount of duty received on spirits paying duty in the month of June is given in my right hon. Friend's reply to the hon. Member for Inverness on the 7th inst.