HC Deb 23 March 1911 vol 23 cc757-8W
Captain WARING

asked the Secretary to the Treasury whether, having regard to the fact that the new system of valuation for licensed premises in Scotland has been promised for some time and is still under consideration, he will agree that the annual licence value should in the meantime be calculated on the amount of liquor taken into the premises for consumption during the year?

Mr. HOBHOUSE

I must refer the hon. Member to an answer which my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer gave to the hon. Member for Wandsworth on 7th March, to the effect that he could not propose any alterations of the principles upon which the Liquor Licence Duties are based until the process of ascertaining annual licence values in accordance with the method prescribed in Sub-section 2 of Section 44 of the Finance (1909–10) Act, 1910, is completed. That system was strongly urged upon him, and he adopted it, after full consideration and discussion, in preference to the alternative system suggested in the question.