§ Captain CLIVEasked the Prime Minister if he has yet decided to reinstate the Government Hops Bill, so that if unopposed, it may have an opportunity of passing?
§ Mr. COURTHOPEasked whether he will reconsider his decision to drop the Hops (No. 2) Bill?
§ Viscount CASTLEREAGHasked whether he can see his way to introduce a Bill before the end of the present Session for the purpose of dealing with the question of hops?
§ Sir WILLIAM COLLINSBefore the right hon. Gentleman answers the questions may I ask whether the Hops Bill merely in its present state contains provisions against the use of substitutes, whether the right hon. Gentleman is aware that the evidence before the Select Committee on the hop industry indicated that the tendency was for the use of substitutes to increase in years of scarcity; and whether his information is that the crop is likely to be a small one this year?
§ The PRIME MINISTER (Mr. Asquith)I regret that I am unable to hold out any prospect of legislation on this subject during the present Session.