§ Captain Pluggeasked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is aware that for two consecutive seasons the hop growers have been unable to produce the quantity of hops required by home brewers; and whether he intends to suggest to the Hops Marketing Board an increase in the existing acreage?
§ Sir R. Dorman-SmithSo far as I am aware, the acreage of registered producers is adequate in a normal season for the purpose of meeting the brewers' requirements. In fact, I understand that, with only slight variations in acreage, the quantity of hops produced in three out of the last five years has exceeded those requirements. Should the brewers anticipate any future difficulty in regard to the supply of hops it would appear to be open to them to raise the question with the Permanent Joint Hops Committee which functions in connection with the Hops Marketing Scheme and considers questions of supplies.