HC Deb 19 February 1931 vol 248 cc1468-9W
Rear-Admiral BEAMISH

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty if he will give an approximate estimate for the latest convenient period of 12 months of the extra sum that would have had to be paid by the officers of the Fleet if wines, spirits, beer and tobacco, exclusive of rum and service tobacco, had paid the rates of duty in force in this country?

Mr. PETHICK-LAWRENCE

The estimated amounts of duty chargeable in respect of wines, spirits and beer allowed by the Customs to be shipped free of duty for officers' messes on His Majesty's ships for the year ended 31st December, 1930, are as follow:

£
Wine 6,500
Spirits 78,500
Beer 5,000

The estimated amount of duty in respect of tobacco similarly allowed to be shipped free of duty for officers' messes and men's canteens on His Majesty's ships is £187,500. Separate figures are not available as regards the quantities of tobacco shipped for officers' messes and men's canteens respectively. The above figures do not include duty in respect of any shipments of such goods by the Admiralty from the Royal victualling yards, e.g., run and tobacco for ration purposes.