asked the Minister for Finance if he will state: (a) the quantities of beer, spirits, cider and foregin wines retained for home consumption in the calendar year 1946, exclusive of methylation being the produce of alcohol factories; (b) the number of liquor licences issued in Eire during the year ended 31st March, 1946; (c) the number of clubs in Eire in the year ended 31st March, 1946; and (d) the amount of duty paid by them on intoxicating liquor during the year ended 31st March, 1946.
Written Answers. - Licensing Statistics.
The information required is as follows:—
(a) The quantities of beer, spirits, cider and foreign wines retained for home consumption in the calendar year 1946, excluding spirits for methylation, were:—
Beer, 914,927 standard barrels; spirits, 855,278 proof gallons; 1,164 liquid gallons; cider, 282,124 gallons; foreign wines, 673,665 gallons.
The figures shown for spirits include:—
(I) in respect of spirits contained in recognised medicinal preparations, 18,646 proof gallons and 58 liquid gallons;
(II) in respect of perfumed spirits, 965 liquid gallons;
(III) in respect of spirits for use in arts and manufactures, 8,640 proof gallons and 109 liquid gallons; and
(IV) 32 liquid gallons of spirits not to be tested.
(b) The number of liquor licences issued in Eire during the year ended 31st March, 1946, was 15,994.
(c) The number of registered clubs in Eire in respect of which "Club Duty" was paid in the year ended 31st March, 1946, was 248.
(d) The amount of "Club Duty" paid by registered clubs during the year ended 31st March, 1946, was £3,113 4s. 10d.