§ 54. Mr. MILLARasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food if he can state the amount of barley and grain and other food materials required for the manufacture of the monthly output of 250,000 proof gallons of spirits still allowed to be produced by the patent-still distilleries in the United Kingdom for potable purposes, and also for the manufacture of the 8,500,000 proof gallons of spirits still allowed to be produced under licence during the present season by the Scottish and Irish pot-still distilleries; and whether, having regard to the present shortage of food materials in the country, steps will be at once taken to prevent the further manufacture of spirits in the United Kingdom for potable purposes?
§ The MINISTER of MUNITIONS (Dr. Addison)I have been asked to reply to this question. The amount of grain required to produce 250,000 proof gallons per month from the patent-still distilleries is equal to 9,600 quarters. Of the 8,500,000 proof gallons which the pot-still distilleries are licensed to make this season only about 3,000,000 proof gallons have still to be produced, requiring 17 approximately 150,000 quarters of grain, a considerable proportion of which is already malted.
§ Mr. MILLARMay I ask whether any representations have been made to prevent the further manufacture of spirits for potable purposes, having regard to the fact that all the spirits manufactured go into bond and cannot be used for three years hence at least?