§ Mr. HAROLD SMITHasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, having regard to the shortage of whisky to the public, he will cause inquiries to be made as to whether large stocks are being held in bend until such time as the Excess Profits Tax is repealed and solely with the object of avoiding such tax?
§ Mr. BALDWINI can assure the hon. Member that my right hon. Friend is fully alive to the desirability of preventing stocks of spirits being unduly withheld, and he is making inquiries on the subject. I am afraid, however, that the particular line of inquiry suggested in the question would not be fruitful. Even if it were possible, which, for technical reasons, it is not, to distinguish whisky from other British spirits in bond, I do not see how any inquiry could discover the motives which induce any trader to hold back stocks.