HC Deb 10 August 1909 vol 9 c250
Captain FABER

I beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade a question, of which I have given him private notice, whether in view of the fact that he has stated that if beer went up in price it was not because the working classes were taxed by the Government, but because they were swindled by the brewer; would the right hon. Gentleman give the name of the brewer with a view to his prosecution?

Mr. CHURCHILL

I take full responsibility for the statement to which the hon. Member refers. I see no reason to amplify it, and still less to modify it, in any respect. I am much obliged to the hon. Member for securing it a wider publicity.

Captain FABER

Would the right hon. Gentleman be afraid to state the name of the brewer outside this House?

Mr. CHURCHILL

I think that is a very offensive question.

Mr. W. W. ASHLEY

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman if he thinks it consistent with his position as a Minister of the Crown to make charges which he does not substantiate?

Mr. CHURCHILL

The facts justifying the general statement I made are obvious and apparent to everybody.