HC Deb 27 May 1908 vol 189 cc1100-1
MR. CLYNES (Manchester, N.E.)

I beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade whether he can give information showing the proportion of hop substitutes used in particular parts of the country or in the largest breweries; and whether his Department has any powers whereby brewers who use substitutes in place of hops can be compelled to make known such use to the purchasers of beer, as in the case of certain groceries and other articles of consumption.

MR. CHURCHILL

The hon. Member will find information as to the quantities of hop substitutes used in each county of the United Kingdom, and also as to the quantities used in breweries classified according to the number of barrels brewed, in the Return entitled Brewers' Licences (No. 32 of this session). The Board of Trade have no power to compel brewers to disclose to purchasers the nature of the materials they have used in brewing.

MR. CLYNES

As the Board of Trade has no power at present, will steps be taken to acquire it?

MR. CHURCHILL

That is a question of further legislation which should not be addressed to me.

VISCOUNT HELMSLEY

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that this Government have refused to pass a Pure Beer Bill?

MR. CHURCHILL

I believe I remember a debate on the subject.

MR. COURTHOPE

I myself brought one in, and it was only defeated through the intervention of the Government.

MR. CHURCHILL

The hon. Member is giving and not asking information.