§ Mr. CREANasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that in Scotland and Ireland there has been a greater falling off in the production of spirits than in England, due to the fact that the greater portion of the product is pot-still in Scotland and Ireland, while in England it is almost entirely produced by patent still, the figures being for Scotland 21 per cent., for Ireland 17½ per cent., England being about 11 per cent.; and, if so, whether some change will be made so as to enable the manufacturers of pot-still whisky, which is produced from homegrown grain, to compete with patent spirits, which is principally manufactured from imported stuffs, the production of the latter being further cheapened by the manufacture of yeast in the same process, which is not possible in the manufacture of pot-still whisky?
§ Mr. HOBHOUSEI am aware of the fact that there was a greater falling off762W last year in the production of spirits in Scotland and Ireland than in England; but I would point out that a large proportion of the spirits made in England is not used for potable purposes, but is methylated; and as there has been no reduction in the quantity of methylated spirits manufactured, the proportionate decrease in the production of English spirits during the year is naturally smaller than in Scotland and Ireland.