* CAPTAIN FABER (Hampshire, Andover)I beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that during the last Inland Revenue year over 63,000,000 lbs. avoirdupois of hops were used in the production of beer, as against 24,000 lbs. of hop-substitutes in the same year, which is an equivalent of 1¼ ton of hops to every pound of substitute; and will he say what amount of extra employment would have been caused if hops had been used instead of this amount of substitute.
§ THE PRESIDENT OF THE BOARD OF TRADE (Mr. CHURCHILL,) DundeeOver 63,900,000 lbs. of hops were used in brewing in each of the last two years, whilst about 24,000 lbs. of hop substitutes were used in the year ended. 30th September, 1906, and about 29,500 lbs. in the year ended 30th September, 1907. I have no information which would enable me to frame an estimate of the nature asked for.
* CAPTAIN FABERDoes the right hon. Gentleman adhere to the statement made by the Chancellor of the Exchequer on 14th April that one of the two causes of 949 the hop industry being depressed was the use of hop substitutes?
§ MR. CHURCHILLI should like to have the opportunity of reading the statement of my right hon. friend before saying how far I agree with it.
§ [No Answer was returned.]
§ MR. KILBRIDE: (Kildare, S.)Were not these 24,000 lbs. of hop substitutes used by patriotic brewers in this country in order to make bigger dividends?
AN HON. MEMBERWhat proportion of the 63,000,000 lbs. was grown in this country and how much abroad?
§ MR. CHURCHILLIf the hon. Member will give me notice I will ascertain.
§ * MR. LUPTONDoes not 63,000,000 lbs. represent 600,000 cwts., and would not a 40s. duty raise the price of that by £1,200,000?
§ [No Answer was returned.]