§ Mr. JESSONasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he is aware that in South Africa an alcohol fuel for internal combustion engines, called natalite, was introduced during the War because of the impossibility of obtaining petrol, and that this spirit is still being used in that country and is cheaper than petrol; whether our Excise Authorities would allow the importation of this liquid fuel into this country with the same denaturant that the South African Government 1776W considers satisfactory; and, if not, will he state the kind of denaturant he considers necessary to safeguard the interests of the Revenue Authorities?
Mr. CHAMBERLAINI am aware that an alcoholic mixture called Natalite has been in use in South Africa as a motor fuel, but have no information as to its price in relation to that of petrol. Natalite, irrespective of the denaturant used, may only be imported into this country subject to payment of duty, as in the case of other spirit mixtures; but plain spirits may be imported for use duty-free as a source of power, provided the differential duty has been paid, and on condition that after importation the spirits are denatured as Power Methylated Spirits, in a manner approved by the Commissioners of Customs and Excise. The question of the denaturants to be prescribed for this description of Methylated Spirits is under consideration.