44. Major NEWMANasked the Food Controller whether he is aware of the dissatisfaction at the shortage of whisky and the poor quality and high prices for beer charged to the public; whether he is aware that the Central Control Board (Liquor Traffic) is being held responsible in this matter by the public; and is he able to say that shortage of barley, malt, and hops is responsible for the shortage and high prices and not a desire on the part of the Liquor Control Board to enforce sobriety by Order in Council?
Mr. ROBERTSI am aware of the existence of dissatisfaction in regard to the conditions necessarily governing the supplies of beer and spirits. It is hoped, however, that the recent decisions of the Cabinet to increase the quantities available for consumption will go a considerable way towards removing this feeling. I have no information to the effect stated in the second part of the question. As regards the last part of the question, the shortage of materials was naturally the determining factor in deciding the quantity which could be produced and the price was affected by the reduced output permitted and by the increase in duty.
Major NEWMANGiven a normal supply of barley and hops, cannot we have a normal supply of whisky and beer to drink?
§ Mr. BILLINGIs it not a fact that despite the shortage we are at present exporting whisky in large quantities?
Mr. ROBERTSI am not aware of that. I have no responsibility for nor do I exercise any control over the Liquor Control Board.
53. Colonel THORNEasked the Food Controller whether he is aware that Messrs. Bullock, Lad, and Company still refuse to supply the wine and spirit merchants with bulk whisky; if he is aware that the firm in question is supplying the 582 whisky in bottle in bond because of the extra profit derived from selling the whisky in the bottle; if he can state whether he will issue a compulsory sales, order for the purpose of making the distillers supply their merchants with the proper supply, and if he intends' taking, any action in the matter?
Mr. ROBERTSThe answer to the first part of the question is in the negative. As I stated in my reply to the hon. and gallant Member on 14th April, I am advised that the firm in question have complied with their obligations, either by delivering supplies or giving certificates which may be presented to another trader, for the quantity which they fail to supply. If, however, the hon. and gallant Member will supply me with specific cases, I shall be very glad to have them investigated.
54. Colonel THORNEasked the Food Controller if he is aware that Mr. F. A. Lindsay, of 3, St. John's Place, Perth, wholesale whisky merchant, has a large quantity of American whisky which has been paid for some considerable time ago, but on account of the present prohibition of import restrictions he is unable to import the whisky; and if he will allow the importation of Canadian and American whiskies in consequence of the shortage in this country?
§ Sir A. GEDDESOn the advice of the Imports Consultative Council I have decided that the importation of Canadian whisky shall be freely permitted and the importation of American whisky shall be permitted if it has been paid for previous to 1st January, 1919. It has been explained to Mr. Lindsay, in a personal interview, that he has to prove that he paid for the whisky before 1st January, 1919. It is understood that he is taking steps to comply with this requirement, and if he can do so he will be allowed to import the whisky.