8. Mr. DUNDAS WHITEasked the President of the Board of Agriculture what hop substitutes are used in the brewing or preparation of beer which are deleterious to health and are not already prohibited by the Sale of Foods and Drugs Acts or other statutes?
§ The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the LOCAL GOVERNMENT BOARD (Mr. Herbert Lewis, for Mr. Runciman)The proposed legislation is not based on the assumption that hop substitutes are deleterious to health, and I am not prepared to say whether or not any hop substitutes can be so described.
9. Mr. DUNDAS WHITEasked the President of the Board of Agriculture whether he is aware that the flavouring of beer has been varied from time to time to suit the variations of taste; and 1309 whether he will take steps in his proposed legislation with regard to hop substitutes to prevent British brewers being placed at a disadvantage as compared with their foreign competitors, particularly in export markets, if they are restricted to the use of hops as a flavouring?
§ Mr. HERBERT LEWISMy right hon. Friend will be glad to consider any representations which may be made to him on this point.
10. Mr. DUNDAS WHITEasked the President of the Board of Agriculture if he will introduce an Amendment to the Hop Substitutes Bill so as to permit hop substitutes to be used in addition to, though not in substitution for, hops?
§ Mr. HERBERT LEWISI understand that my right hon. Friend will deal with this suggestion when he moves the Second Beading of the Bill.
11. Mr. DUNDAS WHITEasked the President of the Board of Agriculture if he will state why, in proposing to abolish the use of hop substitutes in brewing, he does not also propose to abolish the use of malt substitutes, as to which some particulars are given in the recent Return of Brewers' Licences?
§ Mr. HERBERT LEWISI have no doubt that my right hon. Friend will be glad to consider any representations which may be made to him in support of this suggestion.