§ Lieutenant-Colonel RAWasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, having regard to the high price of brandy, he will give the necessary permission for the sale of a half-bottle of spirits in cases of illness, and on the certificate of a doctor?
Mr. CHAMBERLAINI assume that the hon. and gallant Member refers1358W to sales of spirits at retail off-licence premises in England, where in accordance with the law the quantity sold to any person at one time may not be less than a reputed quart bottle. There is no prohibition against the sale of half-bottles of spirits at on-licence premises.
Lieutenant-Commander N. CRAIGasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will consider the advisability, in increasing the duty on spirits, to distinguish between spirits used for consumption and those used for commercial purposes, with a view to avoiding injury to trade?
Mr. CHAMBERLAINI am not quite sure of the scope of the hon. and gallant Member's question. If by "spirits used for commercial purposes" he means spirits used in manufactures generally, I would remind him that most of the spirits so used are either methylated spirits which are free of duty, or in certain cases, where it is found that methylated spirits are unsuitable, spirits allowed to be used free of duty under special conditions made by the Commissioners of Customs and Excise. The hon. Member may, however, have in mind the use of spirits in the preparation either of certain essences used in the manufacture of beverages, or of perfumes which are of the nature of a luxury. I do not see my way to relieving spirits so used of the increase of duty.
§ Major HURSTasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that wine and spirit merchants are declining to supply customers with whisky at 10s. 6d. a bottle on the ground that they cannot afford to do so as a result of the Budget; and what action can be taken to make their supplies available to the public?
Mr. CHAMBERLAINI have no information on the subject, but shall be glad to consider with the Food Controller any case of which the hon. and gallant Member can give me particulars.