§ 3. Lieut. - Commander KENWORTHYasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he can report any further progress in his investigations into the price of beer charged to the public, and in particular whether he can yet state the result of his researches into the profits made by the majority of brewery companies during the last few years; and whether he will state the amount of tax paid on the actual barrel of beer delivered by the brewer to the retailer or club for sale to the public?
§ 4. Major KELLEYasked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware that 916 the brewers of this country are very desirous that the fullest inquiry shall be made into the question of profiteering in their trade; will he therefore, in view of the repeated attacks made on them, hasten an inquiry; and, if any charges of profiteering are found proved, will he institute prosecutions at once?
§ The PRESIDENT of the BOARD of TRADE (Mr. Baldwin)I am not yet prepared to summarise the results of the examination of brewery accounts. The duty on a barrel of beer of the average gravity of that brewed in January of this, year is about 80s.
§ Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYHow much of that duty is represented on an average barrel of beer sold to the average publican or club?
§ Lieut.-Colonel ASHLEYIs not the figure my right hon. Friend has given partial prohibition by taxation, instead of legitimate revenue raising by taxation? Are not temperance people getting what they want, without the consent of the House?
§ Major KELLEYIs it not a fact that if beer were lower by 1d. a pint to the public, brewers would not only have their profits wiped out, but would incur a loss of £10,000,000 or £15,000,000? I assure my hon. Friend that that is correct.