§ Mr. N. Macphersonasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) the total quantities of high strength wine imported into the United Kingdom for the 10 months January-October, 1953 and 1954, from Australia, South Africa, Cyprus, Spain and Portugal, respectively;
(2) the total quantities of high strength wine imported into the United Kingdom for each of the fiscal years ended 31st March, 1938, 1948 and 1954, from Australia, South Africa, Cyprus, Spain and Portugal, respectively;
245W(3) what quantities of high strength wine imported from Australia, South Africa, Cyprus, Spain and Portugal, respectively, were released from bond in the 10 months January to October, 1953, and 1954;
(4) what quantities of high strength wine imported from Australia, South Africa, Cyprus, Spain and Portugal, respectively, were released from bond in each of the fiscal years ended 31st March, 1938, 1948 and 1954;
§ Mr. H. BrookeI regret that full particulars in the form desired by my hon. Friend are not available; the nearest information is as follows: During the calendar years ended 31st December, 1937, 1947 and 1953, the approximate quantities of high-strength wine imported otherwise than in bottle were:
Country from which imported 1937 1947 1953 Gallons Gallons Gallons Australia 2,982,704 1,383,042 209,634 South Africa 1,226,228 1,978,503 1,208,694 Other Commonwealth countries 151,097 351,830 81,225 Spain 3,951,974 2,380,942 2,533,478 Portugal 4,611,720 2,011,317 1,499,278 The quantities of high-strength wine imported in bottle from these countries during the years in question are not known, but are believed in each case to have been small.
The quantities of high-strength wine delivered from bonded warehouses for home consumption, in the 10-month periods January-October, 1953 and 1954, were:
246W
Country from which imported 1953 1st January-31st October 1954 1st January-31st October Gallons Gallons Australia 224,264 181,499 South Africa 903,777 915,154 Other Commonwealth countries 78,856 69,933 Spain 1,708,768 1,814,150 Portugal 1,199,741 1,059,434 The quantities of high-strength wine delivered from bonded warehouses for home consumption, in the fiscal years ended 31st March, 1938, 1948 and 1954, were:
Country from which imported Year ended 31st March 1938 1948 1954 Gallons Gallons Gallons Australia 2,857,698 1,160,346 298,468 South Africa 1,116,336 1,744,814 1,178,031 Other Commonwealth countries 136,927 280,855 91,134 Spain 2,866,572 1,807,404 2,356,719 Portugal 3,801,569 1,738,317 1,612,275