§ 47. Lord APSLEYasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that pure beer brewed from British malt and British hops is on sale at Norwich and at Helston, Cornwall, the latter containing four ounces of the best English malt to one pint of beer: whether he is aware that 1928 was a good barley year and yet that the brewers are reducing their demands for British barley in favour of cheap foreign substitutes, notably maize, molasses, and various chemicals; and whether, with a view to assisting agriculture and protecting the consumer, he is prepared to consider giving some relief of taxation to the pure British article?
§ Mr. HARDIEIs this not an advertisement for beer?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLI have noted with interest the developments referred to in the first part of the question. With regard to the second part, I have seen reports as to the generally satisfactory nature of the 1938 barley crop, but I have not at present any information to enable me to judge the accuracy of the allegation that foreign substitutes are increasingly displacing British barley. With regard to the third part, once again I can only refer my Noble Friend to the answer which I returned on 13th December last to my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for Chelmsford.
§ Lord APSLEYIs the Chancellor of the Exchequer aware that the Minister of Agriculture has stated inside this House and outside on several occasions that it is impossible to brew beer from British barley malt, and, in view of the existing evidence to the contrary, will the right hon. Gentleman reconsider his decision?