§ 45. Captain FAIRFAXasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he has considered, or will consider, granting such a rebate on the Beer Duty in the case only of beer brewed from home-grown barley and hops as, taken in conjunction with the rating relief of breweries, will admit of a reduction in the retail selling price of a penny a pint on such beer?
§ The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER (Mr. Churchill)I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the answer which I returned on 13th December last to my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for Chelmsford (Colonel Howard-Bury). It must be remembered that to reduce the price of beer by 1d. per pint would cost some £26,000,000, whereas the brewers' rating relief is something less than £400,000.
§ Captain. FAIRFAXDoes the right hon. Gentleman mean that the cost. would be £26,000,000 to reduce the duty on beer made from home-grown barley and hops alone?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLMy answer covers the whole of the beer.
§ Colonel HOWARD-BURYCan the right hon. Gentleman say what the cost, would be for beer brewed from homegrown barley and hops?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLI certainly can if the question is nut on the Paper.
§ Mr. HURDHas the right hon. Gentleman had an opportunity of appreciating the value of all-English beer, of which I believe a sample has been sent to him?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLA sample has reached me, and I am going to address myself to it.
§ Mr. SHINWELLIs that the reason why the right hon. Gentleman rang the alarm bell last week?