§ Mr. Whiteasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many distilleries are engaged solely in the production of industrial and power alcohol; and what special Customs supervision is necessary in such distilleries?
§ Captain WallaceThere are seven distilleries engaged solely in the production of industrial and power alcohol. All distilleries require the same Revenue supervision for the same purpose—that is, to ensure that a product which, whatever its intended use, is a potable intoxicant does not enter into consumption as a beverage unless the spirit duty is paid on it.
§ Mr. Whiteasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is in a position to 2903W state the cost to the revenue of the allowance of 8¾d. per gallon on industrial and power alcohol produced in the distilleries which do not make potable alcohol?
§ Captain WallaceAs the allowance in question is payable, not to distillers as such, but to methylators and to persons authorised to receive undenatured alcohol free of duty, a precise figure cannot be given. An estimate is £850,000.
§ Mr. Whiteasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether the Customs restrictions imposed on distilleries producing both potable and non-potable alcohol are also necessary in distilleries producing only non-potable alcohol; arid, if not, whether he proposes to abolish the allowance of 8¾d. per gallon in respect of the latter?
§ Captain WallaceAs regards the first part of the question, I would refer to the answer which I have given to a previous question by the hon. Member. It follows that the answer to the second part is in the negative.