§ 53. Mr. G. Campbellasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether there is any evidence of budget-forestalling withdrawals from bond of Scotch whisky 108W having taken place before the announcement of Government economic measures on 20th July last.
§ Mr. MacDermotClearances of whisky from bond in June and July, 1966 were more than might have been expected, but I am unable to estimate how far, if at all, this was due to forestalling of anticipated measures.
§ 54. Mr. G. Campbellasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the percentage reduction in home sales of Scotch whisky in the period August, 1966 to February, 1967, inclusive, following the imposition of the 10 per cent. regulator surcharge in July, compared with the similar period in the previous financial year; and what was the resulting difference in revenue received by the Exchequer.
§ Mr. MacDermotClearances of whisky from bond during the period were down 8 per cent. compared with the corresponding months of the previous year, but because of the high level of clearances earlier, I think this percentage overstates the actual fall in consumption. The revenue from whisky during the seven months was about £1 million more than during the corresponding months of the previous year.