(1)In Part VI of the M1Alcoholic Liquor Duties Act 1979 the following section shall be inserted before section 67—
(1)Subject to subsections (4) to (6) below, a person shall not blend two or more alcoholic liquors—
(a)each of which is of a kind mentioned in paragraphs (a) to (e) of section 1(1) above, but
(b)not all of which fall within the same one of those paragraphs,
except in an excise warehouse or on premises which, in relation to the liquors blended, are for the time being permitted premises.
(2)Subject to subsections (4) to (6) below, a person shall not blend two or more alcoholic liquors which—
(a)fall within the same paragraph of section 1(1) above, but
(b)are not all of the same alcoholic strength,
except in an excise warehouse or on premises which, in relation to the liquors blended, are for the time being permitted premises.
(3)In relation to the blending of particular alcoholic liquors—
(a)if the liquor which is the product of the blending is beer, permitted premises are premises which are registered under section 41A above and premises in respect of which a person is registered under section 47 above;
(b)if the liquor which is the product of the blending is wine, permitted premises are premises in respect of which a licence under section 54(2) above is held;
(c)if the liquor which is the product of the blending is made-wine, permitted premises are premises in respect of which a licence under section 55(2) above is held;
(d)if the liquor which is the product of the blending is cider, permitted premises are premises in respect of which a person is registered under section 62 above.
(4)Subsections (1) and (2) above do not apply unless the blending is done with a view to offering for sale the liquor which is the product of the blending.
(5)Subsections (1) and (2) above do not apply where the liquor which is the product of the blending is intended for consumption on the premises on which the blending takes place.
(6)The Commissioners may direct that subsections (1) and (2) above shall not apply to the blending of alcoholic liquors in such circumstances as are specified in the direction.
(7)Where a person contravenes subsection (1) or (2) above, the following shall be liable to forfeiture—
(a)the liquor which is the product of the blending;
(b)all such vessels, utensils and materials for the blending of alcoholic liquors as are found in his possession.
(8)In this section any reference to blending liquors includes a reference to otherwise mixing them.”
(2)In subsection (5) of section 55 of that Act (exemption for certain producers of made-wine from requirement to hold excise licence) before paragraph (a) there shall be inserted the following paragraph—
“(aa)he does not blend or otherwise mix two or more alcoholic liquors to which paragraphs (a) and (b) of section 66A(1) below or paragraphs (a) and (b) of section 66A(2) below apply;”.
(3)In that section—
(a)paragraph (e) of subsection (5) and the word “and” immediately preceding that paragraph shall be omitted, and
(b)subsection (5A) shall be omitted.
(4)This section shall apply in relation to the blending or other mixing of alcoholic liquors on or after the day on which this Act is passed.