§ 96. Mr. STUART-WORTLEYasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether it is with his approval that the Commissioners of Customs, in administering the Output of Beer (Restriction) Act, 1916, have refused to reckon as part of the standard barrelage of a brewer formerly conducting two brewing establishments the output of one of such establishments closed subsequently to 31st March, 1915, notwithstanding the provisions of Section 2 (2c) of the Act, which contemplates that where a change in the circumstances of the brewery has occurred since 31st March, 1915, the output of the period anterior to such change may, as a datum of comparison for the purpose of calculating the maximum barrelage to be permitted under the Act, be taken into account; whether certain brewers have by such refusal been rendered unable to discharge their legal obligations to tenants entitled to certain supplies from them; and whether he can direct some redress for the resulting hardship?
§ 117. Mr. SAMUEL ROBERTSasked the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been called to the position of certain breweries under the Output of Beer (Restriction) Act, 1916, when one of their breweries has been closed for the purpose of economical working and the output transferred to another of their breweries; whether the Commissioners of Customs have declined to allow the company to count in their output the amount of beer which was previously brewed in their closed brewery; and, if so, what steps he proposes to take to meet this hardship?
§ The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the BOARD of TRADE (Mr. Pretyman)If the hon. Gentlemen will be good enough to send me particulars of the cases they have in mind I shall be happy to look into them. One or two similar cases have already been brought to my notice and I am having them looked into. Legislation may be necessary if it is found to be justified by the facts.