HC Deb 29 May 1922 vol 154 cc1721-2W
Viscount ELVEDEN

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether the duty of 72s. 6d. per gallon on spirits yielded last year £7,500,000 less than was anticipated owing to decreased consumption; and, if so, whether he will take steps to

Year 1919–20. Year 1920–21.
£ £ (Estimated.)
Gross income 2,970,604,036 3,000,000,000
Deductions (necessary to reduce the gross income to the actual income liable to tax) for exemptions, repairs to property, wear and tear of machinery, overcharges in assessment, etc. 423,424,213 500,000,000
Actual income liable to tax before deduction of personal or family allowances and reliefs 2,547,179,823 2,500,000,000

My hon. Friend will see that the gross income is subject to considerable deductions of the nature stated in order to arrive at the actual income assessed. It

reduce the duty in order that the revenue therefrom may be increased?

Mr. YOUNG

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. I cannot accept the Noble Lord's suggestion that a reduction in the rate of duty would necessarily increase the revenue from spirits.