HC Deb 04 July 1890 vol 346 cc790-1
MR. CORNWALLIS WEST (Denbigh, W.)

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War what steps are taken to ensure the beer exported to India for the use of the troops being of good quality; whether he is aware that complaints are general in that country as to its acidity and intoxicating power; and whether a lighter beer could be supplied?

SIR J. KINLOCH (Perth, E.)

I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for India whether the Government of India contract for a certain amount of beer to be exported to India each month, which the troops are obliged to consume before beer purchased locally can be supplied; and whether, inasmuch as the beer purchased locally is good, sound, light beer of a non-intoxicating quality, he will take steps to alter the present system of contracting?

THE UNDER SECRETARY OF STATE FOB INDIA (Sir J. GORST,) Chatham

My right hon. Friend the Secretary for War has asked me to reply to the question of the hon. Member for Denbigh (Mr. Cornwallis West), and I will reply at the same time to the question of the hon. Member for Perth (Sir J. Kinloch). Beer cannot be advantageously supplied locally at all stations in India, and it is, therefore, exported from this country for these stations. It is brewed according to specification, and under the supervision of Government officers. Complaints are not frequent or general, but acidity may occasionally arise from the effects of storage in India. The exported beer is lighter than the local beer, and is as light as would be safe for shipment in casks.