§ 78. Mr. A. WILLIAMSasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food if he will state what are the reasons which have induced his Department to issue licences for the use of grain in the manufacture of non-alcoholic beer; whether beer, whether alcoholic or non alcoholic, has a greater or less food value than the materials of which it is made; and what quantity of grain is used for this purpose weekly?
Captain BATHURSTLicences have been issued for the use of grain in the manufacture of non-alcoholic beer, because it was thought unfair to stop the trade altogether. Non-alcoholic beer has a smaller food value than other beer, and the materials of which beer is made have a. greater food-value than their liquid product. The licences issued for the production of non-alcoholic beer since the restrictive Order came into force on the 20th February, 1917, cover only 62 quarters of malt.