Mr. CATHCART WASONasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if his attention has been directed to the case of hotels in Scotland where the bar-drawings exceed a third of the whole drawings, and that the proposed licences, calculated on half the annual value, is prohibitive, and means that such hotels must be closed; and if he will consider the possibility of putting such hotels, which exist mainly for the benefit of the travelling public and are practically only open for a few months, on a footing other than that of public-houses which exist solely to sell drink?
§ Mr. LLOYD-GEORGEMy attention has been directed to the case of hotels in Scotland of the character referred to in this question. The incidence of the rates of duty as proposed to be charged under the Finance Bill upon licences for hotels where the real business for which the main buildings of the hotel exist, is practically confined to a short season, has been brought to my notice, and is under consideration.