asked the Minister for Finance the revenue received by the Exchequer in respect of (a) drink and (b) tobacco for the current financial year, excluding turnover tax; by what percentage the tax, excluding turnover tax, on these commodities has increased since 1962; by what amount revenue to the Exchequer has increased as a result; and whether, in view of the fact that the liquor trade supports 250,000 people and is responsible for exports valued at £8 million, against imports of £3 million, he will take steps to alleviate what is considered by the trade to be discriminatory taxation against it.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Revenue from Drink and Tobacco Duties.
Mr. Belton
I propose with your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, to furnish the figures requested in the form of a tabular statement to be circulated with the Official Report.
As regards the final part of the question, the Deputy, no doubt, has in mind alteration of the duties involved and this is, of course, a matter for consideration in connection with my Budget Statement.
Following is the statement:—
Commodity |
Percentage increase in main rate of duty since the end of the financial year 1961-62 |
Revenue in the financial year 1961-62 |
Estimated revenue in the financial year 1964-65 |
Amount by which figures in column (4) exceed those in column (3) |
(1) |
(2) |
(3) |
(4) |
(5) |
% |
£ |
£ |
£ |
|
Drink: |
||||
Home-made Spirits. |
8.6 |
6,214,000 |
7,400,000 |
1,186,000 |
Imported Spirits. |
25.4 |
3,093,000 |
3,750,000 |
657,000 |
Beer |
29.8 |
9,559,000 |
13,275,000 |
3,716,000 |
Wine |
No Change |
527,000 |
600,000 |
73,000 |
Cider and Perry |
,,,, |
28,000 |
30,000 |
2,000 |
Tobacco |
20.9 |
31,537,000 |
37,500,000 |
5,963,000 |