HC Deb 22 March 1922 vol 152 cc490-1W
Mr. HANNON

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he has received a petition from the Highland distillers submitting that the Spirit Duty of 72s. 6d. per proof gallon has threatened the Scotch trade with complete disaster; that the interests of Scotch farmers are closely allied with the trade which takes one-half of the barley crop of Scotland; that the by-products from malt constitute 28 per cent. of the food value of barley and this recovered food value is the principal food for dairy cows in the distillery districts, and curtailment of these by products must seriously affect the milk supply; and whether, in view of these facts, he will consider the reduction of the Spirit Duty to at least 50s. per proof gallon?

Mr. YOUNG

My right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer has received the petition referred to and also other representations as to the effects of the present Spirit Duty. A3 regards the last

Collections. 31st January, 1921. 31st October, 1921.
In Distillers' Warehouses. In General Warehouses. In Distillers' Warehouses. In General Warehouses.
Proof Gallons. Proof Gallons. Proof Gallons. Proof Gallons.
Aberdeen C. & E. 2,609,568 949,673 2,701,798 968,009
Ayr C. 27,215 27,671
Campbeltown* E. 5,339,996 342,521 5,390,958 382,646
Dumfries E. 106,492 172,156 103,887 202,497
Dundee C. & E. 4,160,746 1,112,766 4,034,617 1,253,342
Edinburgh C. & E. 14,017,233 4,666,420 15,232,316 5,357,489
Elgin E. 14,501,990 735,367 14,533,011 773,702
Glasgow C. 5,393,324 5,536,435
Glasgow E. 5,217,720 14,143,253 4,658,518 16,127,500
Greenock C. & E. 3,205,181 1,098,699 3,643,387 1,041,431
Inverness C. & E. 4,799,491 84,104 4,772,043 85,539
Leith C. & E. 543,389 4,693,863 527,506 4,701,526
Perth E. 2,110,529 1,835,204 2,052,808 1,854,027
Total 56,612,335 35,254,565 57,650,849 38,311,814
* Campbeltown Collection includes Islay and Jura.