§ 50. Mr. William Brownasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food to what extent the present shortage of supplies of alcoholic liquor in various parts of the country is due to distribution being based on 1939 figures of population; and whether he will take steps to conform distribution to up-to-date figures of distribution of population?
Major Lloyd GeorgeThe allocation of barley to individual breweries is based upon current consumption and takes account of changes of demand brought about by movements of population and other factors. I am informed that in the distribution of whisky and other spirits, account has also been taken of such changes but, as my hon. Friend will no doubt agree, movements of population in which children have predominated are, alone, not a reliable guide to changes in demand for alcohol.
§ Mr. George GriffithsIs it a fact that the shortage has come about because there have been a lot of by-elections lately?