2. Major BARNESasked the President of the Board of Trade who are the persons appointed by him to investigate the prices of, and profits on, the manufacture and sale of beer; when they will report to him; and whether he will make a Report to the House?
§ Mr. BALDWINAs I informed the hon. and gallant Member for Central Hull on the 3rd April, I have received a Report from the officials of the Board of Trade, who have been inquiring into this 3 subject. While it is clear that profits from brewing are substantially larger now than they were before the War, I am not satisfied that any reduction in the price charged to the public is practicable in existing conditions. I do not, therefore, propose to take any further action at present.
§ Mr. BALDWINIt does affect it, but is set off to some extent by a fall in the demand for consumption.
§ Lieut.-Colonel ASHLEYWould not a very appropriate step be for the Government to reduce this absurd taxation?
§ Mr. BALDWINThat is the only way in which the prices can be reduced, but it is probably within the knowledge of my hon. and gallant Friend that to reduce the price by a penny a pint would moan something like £30,000,000.