42. Captain CROOKSHANKasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, having regard to the agreement entered into with the brewers, he will state whether the agreement stipulated for a definite minimum proportion of malt made from home-grown barley to be used by all brewers and, if so, what proportion; and what steps are being taken to ascertain that all brewers are observing the spirit of the agreement?
§ Mr. HORE-BELISHAWith regard to the first part of the question, I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the terms of the letter from the Chairman of the Brewers Society which my right hon. Friend read in the course of his Budget Speech; with regard to the second part, the Ministry of Agriculture is in touch with the brewing and other industries on the subject.
§ Mr. HAMMERSLEYCan the hon. Member say, so far as he knows, whether this agreement is being carried out explicitly by the brewers?
§ Brigadier-General Sir HENRY CROFTIs it not a fact that the new foreign crop will not arrive in this country for some months?
§ Mr. HORE-BELISHAIn reply to both questions, my right hon. Friend the Minister of Agriculture is in touch with the interests concerned.