§ Mr. ANEURIN WILLIAMSasked the Secretary to the Treasury whether his attention has been called to the fact that Mr. Overbeck, of Grimsby, who has duly taken out a patent for extracting the alcohol from beer so as to produce a temperance drink, is prevented by the Excise authorities from working his patent on the ground that it infringes Excise law 1796W and regulations; whether the Government wishes to encourage the production of temperance drinks; and whether the Government can see its way to permit this patent, which has been commercially proved, to be worked, and will, if necessary, introduce legislation for that purpose?
§ Mr. MONTAGUI regret that I can add nothing to the replies given by my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer to the hon. Member for Grimsby on the 15th and 29th ultimo, beyond saying that I fear that I cannot commit myself to promote legislation on the subject.