§ 37. Mr. DUNCAN MILLARasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether, having regard to the present shortage of food, it is proposed to take any steps to prohibit the further manufacture of spirits for potable purposes?
§ The MINISTER of MUNITIONS (Dr. Addison)Under the recent Orders of the Ministry no potable spirit is now being produced at the patent-still distilleries, except the small quantity for the export 700 gin trade, mentioned in the reply given on 1st March to my hon. Friend. I would remind my hon. Friend that the permit for the pot-still distilleries is only for the present season, which will shortly terminate.
§ Mr. MILLARIs there any justification for allowing the manufacture of a further single gallon of alcohol seeing that there are already 140,000,000 gallons in bond, and having regard to the shortage of food?
§ Dr. ADDISONThe hon. Member is aware that an arrangement with the pot-still distillers was come to last year with regard to the present season which is now nearly terminated.
§ Mr. MILLARHas not the situation developed since the licences were issued, and the question become of much greater importance?