Colonel THORNEasked the Food Controller if he is aware that Messrs. Bulloch, Lade, and Company, whisky distillers, are refusing to supply the merchants that they deal with with the 75 per cent. of the 1916 delivery because some of the wine and whisky merchants have stock in hand; and if he intends taking any action in forcing the hands of the various distillers to supply all their merchants with the full 75 per cent, of the 1916 delivery?
Mr. ROBERTSI am advised that the firm in question have complied with their obligations, either by delivering supplies or giving certificates which may be presented to another trader, for the quantity which they fail to supply. The second part of the question does not, therefore, arise.
§ Sir P. GOFFasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether his attention has been called to the withholding from retailers of the ordinary supplies of spirits by the wholesale dealers owing to the fear of increased duties which may be imposed in the coming Budget, and what steps he proposes to take to prevent this shortage to the public and the exploitation of both retailer and the public by the larger dealer?
Mr. CHAMBERLAINMy attention has not been called to the matter referred to in the first part of the question. As regards the second part, dealers who themselves hold authorities to clear spirits from bond are required as a condition of such authorities to distribute the spirits cleared by them fairly amongst their licensed customers, having regard to the quantity delivered to each in 1916. Failure to comply with this condition may involve forfeiture of the authority and refusal to renew it.