HC Deb 06 May 1918 vol 105 cc1875-6W
Mr. LOUGH

asked the Secretary to the Treasury whether he can state the average consumption per head of the inhabitants in Ireland of spirits, beer, and tobacco in the years ending the 31st March, 1908 and 1918, respectively?

Mr. BALDWIN

The estimated consumption of these articles per head of the population of Ireland is as follows:

Year ended 31st March, 1908. Year ended 31st March, 1918.
Spirits pf. gall. 0.97 0.49
Beer std. brl. 0.53 0.26
Tobacco lb. 1.99 2.41
(excluding homegrown)

The figures for spirits correspond with the quantities actually delivered for home consumption in Ireland. The figures for beer and tobacco in the year 1907–8 are based on data as to the consumption of those articles in Ireland in the year 1903–4, those for 1917–18 are based on similar data-obtained in the year 1910–11, no later information being available.