93. Captain BALFOURasked the Minister of Agriculture if he is aware that farmers in East Kent are unable to sell malting barley owing to brewers suffering from loss of trade due to increased beer taxation; and if the Government will consider securing the use of a greater proportion of home-produced malting barley by means of a tax on foreign whole barley or a compulsory quota of English produce for malting purposes?
§ The MINISTER of AGRICULTURE (Sir John Gilmour)I regret I have no information to enable me to say whether the position is as indicated in the first part of my hon. and gallant Friend's question. The suggestions put forward in the second part will certainly come under review in connection with the consideration of the Government's agricultural policy which is now taking place.
Captain BALFOURMay I take it that if I give the right hon. and gallant Gentleman information with regard to 5,000 unsold quarters of malting barley he will take due note of it?
§ Sir J. GILMOURCertainly.