54.
asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will give figures showing the number of barrels of beer brewed in Great Britain and Northern Ireland in each year from 1920 to 1949; and the amount of revenue accruing to the Exchequer therefrom in each year.
As the answer is in the form of a table of figures, I will, with the hon. Member's permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.
Whilst thanking the Chancellor, may I ask would he not agree that the over-taxation of beer has meant a loss to the Revenue and deprived many ordinary people of their customary glass of beer owing to the incidence of tax reflected in the price?
No, that is not the evidence of the figures.
Will the right hon. and learned Gentleman give consideration to the possibility of strengthening the beer?
Certainly, I will give consideration to everything.
When considerations pass through the mind of the Chancellor on this subject, will he bear in mind the steady and the great increase in the profits of brewers since 1920?
Following is the table:
Quantities charged with duty.
| Net receipts
| |
Financial Year
| Bulk barrels
| £
|
| 1920–21 | 34,504,570 | 123,393,903 |
| 1921–22 | 30,178,731 | 121,844,583 |
| 1922–23 | 23,948,651 | 92,262,893 |
| 1923–24 | 25,425,017 | 76,110,638 |
| 1924–25 | 26,826,665 | 75,825,827 |
| 1925–26 | 26,839,317 | 76,320,021 |
| 1926–27 | 25,167,933 | 78,763,480 |
| 1927–28 | 25,435,145 | 77,800,471 |
| 1928–29 | 24,608,342 | 70,846,978 |
| 1929–30 | 25,061,956 | 71,254,674 |
| 1930–31 | 23,900,213 | 69,269,299 |
| 1931–32 | 20,790,812 | 68,710,020 |
| 1932–33 | 17,950,303 | 67,097,581 |
| 1933–34 | 20,182,308 | 53,884,405 |
| 1934–35 | 20,864,814 | 53,582,335 |
| 1935–36 | 21,969,763 | 55,451,926 |
| 1936–37 | 22,724,450 | 57,318,585 |
| 1937–38 | 24,205,631 | 61,241,404 |
| 1938–39 | 24,674,992 | 62,370,034 |
| 1939–40 | 25,366,782 | 75,157,022 |
| 1940–41 | 26,203,803 | 133,450,205 |
| 1941–42 | 29,860,796 | 157,254,430 |
| 1942–43 | 29,296,672 | 209,584,343 |
| 1943–44 | 30,478,289 | 263,170,703 |
| 1944–45 | 31,332,852 | 278,876,870 |
| 1945–46 | 32,650,200 | 295,305,369 |
| 1946–47 | 29,261,398 | 250,350,829 |
| 1947–48 | 30,408,634 | 264,112,043 |
| 1948–49 | 26,990,144 | 294,678,035 |
The figures prior to 1922–23 relate to Great Britain and Ireland, separate figures in respect of Great Britain and Northern Ireland not being available.