HC Deb 19 December 1934 vol 296 cc1146-7
50. Mr. de ROTHSCHILD

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the proportion of home-grown barley used in the manufacture of British beer in the year June, 1932, to June, 1933, and the year June, 1933, to June, 1934; and whether he is satisfied that the Brewers' Society are implementing the undertaking given to him in April, 1933, to take all possible steps to increase the proportion of home-grown barley used by British brewers in consideration of the reduction in Beer Duty granted by the Finance Act of 1933?

The FINANCIAL SECRETARY to the TREASURY (Mr. Duff Cooper)

I would refer the hon. Member to the answer which I gave on the 29th November to my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for Louth (Lieut.-Colonel Heneage) and my hon. Friend the Member for Lincoln (Mr. Liddall).

Mr. de ROTHSCHILD

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that these figures were asked for by the Council of Agriculture and were refused; will he consider whether he cannot give the House the figures that he has at present and the names of the firms who refuse to give these figures to the farmers; and does he realise how dissatisfied the farmers are at present that the brewers are not implementing the promise which they made to the Chancellor of the Exchequer on the last Budget?

Mr. COOPER

As I have already informed previous hon. Members who asked the same question, these figures are not available. They do not exist so far as the Government are aware. I also said, in reply to the second part of the question, that we have no evidence to prove or to show that the brewers are not implementing their share of the bargain.

Mr. de ROTHSCHILD

Does the hon. Gentleman realise that the brewers have refused to give these figures to the Council of Agriculture, and will the Government give this House those figures that the Government have at the present time, and publish the names of those brewers who refuse to give these figures?

Mr. COOPER

The Government have no figures to give the House.

Captain PETER MACDONALD

Can my hon. Friend not ask the brewers to give these figures or to state the reason why they will not?

Mr. MORGAN JONES

Is the hon. Gentleman making inquiries as to whether the brewers are in point of fact carrying out their undertaking to the Government?

Mr. COOPER

I have already informed the House that, so far as the Government are aware, so far as they have been able to ascertain, the brewers are doing their best to implement their promise.

Major Sir ARCHIBALD SINCLAIR

How can the Government ascertain it if they do not ask the brewers for the figures?