SUGAR (BEER MANUFACTURE). (Hansard, 28 September 1915)

§ 34. Mr. PATRICK WHITE
asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if any portion of sugar or its equivalent acquired by the Government for purposes of the State have been used for the manufacture of beer; and, if so, whether such articles could be substituted by Home-grown malt and hops, and the outsending of national payments stopped?

§ Mr. McKENNA
The Sugar Commission have sold sugar to brewers, who have no doubt used it in the manufacture of beer. Freedom in the choice of their brewing materials has been allowed to brewers for many years, and I do not consider that any interference with that privilege is called for by reference to existing circumstances.

§ Sir GEORGE YOUNGER
May I ask whether the right hon. Gentleman intends, to apply the new tax to brewing sugar, which is already heavily taxed?

§ Mr. McKENNA
Yes, Sir, I think brewing sugar comes under the old tax. It is taxed under the old law, and will be taxed under the new.

§ 35. Mr. PATRICK WHITE
asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he can state the value of imported articles used in Great Britain for the manufacture of beer, and the country of origin of each of such articles for the past five years, respectively; whether he will state the average quantity of sugar or its equivalent used for the past five years; if he is aware that the largest and most successful brewery in the world, situate in Ireland, uses malt and hops only; and whether, having regard to the fact that these materials can be Home grown, he will consider the advisability of appointing a small Committee to inquire into and report upon the probable advantage to the country of preventing money being sent abroad for articles which can be substituted at Home?

§ Mr. McKENNA
There is no official record of the origin of the various materials used in the manufacture of beer. The quantity of sugar or its equivalent used in the manufacture of beer during the last five years averaged 3,110,000 cwt. per year. I do not think that any useful purpose would be served at the present time by the appointment of such a Committee as is suggested.