HC Deb 23 March 1939 vol 345 cc1454-5
67. Mr. Christie

asked the Minister of Agriculture what percentage of the total ingredients used during 1938 for brewing beer was malt made from British barley; and what percentage of the materials used in distilling was of home origin?

Mr. Ramsbotham

Malt made from home-grown barley is estimated to have amounted to roughly one-half by weight of the total ingredients used for brewing beer during the year ended 30th September, 1938. I regret that I have not the information to enable me to answer the second part of the question.

Viscountess Astor

Considering the enormous profits made by the brewers, does not the Minister think they might buy a little more home-grown barley?

Mr. Ramsbotham

Discussions are already taking place with the brewers on the subject of malting barley.

Mr. J. Morgan

Have not those discussions with the brewers taken place every year for the last four or five years?

Brigadier-General Sir Henry Croft

Is it not a fact that the figures which the hon. Gentleman gave account only for barley, and does not the 50 per cent. include hops and other material?

Viscountess Astor

Is it not true that the country wants its beer brewed of home-grown materials.