§ The following question stood on the Paper in the name of Mr. RENDALL:
§ 34. To ask the Food Controller whether he is aware that the members of the Sound well (Bristol) Silver Roach Angling Association complain that on Saturday last they found posted on the Riverside inn where they arrived the familiar notice, "Closed. No Beer"; can he estimate the number of barrels of beer the present standard barrelage can be diluted to produce; and how much less is the total number of barrels so diluted than the number at the disposal of licensed victuallers before the War?
§ Mr. RENDALLIn putting this question, may I say that the words "after walking five miles on dusty roads" have been left out after the word "Association."
Mr. ROBERTSI had visualised them. I have not previously had my attention called to the particular case to which the hon. Member refers. The barrelage which would be produced if all brewers in the United Kingdom practised the extreme degree of dilution which is at present permitted—namely, to a gravity of 1010—would be at the rate of approximately 110,000,000 barrels of fluid, or about three times the quantity produced before the War. The hon. Member will, however, I think, agree with me in doubting whether this would prove an acceptable beverage.
Mr. ROBERTSI am a believer in good beer myself, and in response to a private notice question I will have to make an announcement a little later on.