HC Deb 17 March 1932 vol 263 cc458-9
66. Mr. MANDER

asked the hon. Member for Monmouth as Chairman of the Kitchen Committee what change there has been in the consumption of Empire wines in the House of Commons since the initiation of the "Buy British" campaign, taking the figures as last given in answer to a question and those with reference to the present time?

Sir JOHN GANZONI (for Sir LEOLIN FORESTIER-WALKER)

The proportional sale of Empire Wines for the year ended 31st December, 1931, was 6.00 per cent., against 5.70 per cent. for the previous year.

Mr. DINGLE FOOT

Would it not be possible to establish a quota compelling all. Members to drink 15 per cent. of Empire wine?

Mr. MANDER

Am I to understand that, in spite of all the propaganda, Members of Parliament are drinking practically no more Empire wine than they did two years ago?

Mr. HANNON

May I ask the Chairman of the Kitchen Committee whether he can give any indication to the House of the quantity of Empire wine drunk by the hon. Member for East Wolverhampton (Mr. Mander)?

Sir J. GANZONI

The reply to the first supplementary question, is that it is better to leave it to the discretion of hon. Members. In reply to the second supplementary, I may say that the Empire campaign had not had time to affect last year's figures. The choice of Empire wines has been greatly increased lately, and no doubt the hon. Member will be much better pleased with this year's figures.

Mr. MANDER

I drink nothing but pure Empire beverages.