Spirit Duty

59.

Mr. HUGHES
asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that the proposed tax of 10s. per quarter on imported malting barley will add six-pence per gallon to the cost of making whisky; and will he consider giving distillers a relief from the present duty in spirits similar to that which has been accorded to brewers?

Mr. BALDWIN
I have received representations in the sense indicated in the first part of the question. As regards the second part, I have been unable to include any relief from the Spirit Duty amongst my Budget proposals.