HC Deb 10 November 1942 vol 383 cc2244-5
30. Mr. Mathers

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he has considered the resolutions passed at the annual general meeting of the Edinburgh Council Scottish Temperance Alliance and forwarded to him for attention on 15th October; and whether he will indicate the result of that attention?

Mr. Johnston

Yes, Sir. As regards the future the terms of the resolutions have been noted. There have been since the outbreak of war, two reductions amounting to 15 per cent. in the average gravities of beer, and my Noble Friend the Minister of Food considers that the present restrictions on the supply of the principal raw materials used in brewing are sufficient in existing circumstances. As the hon. Member knows there is to be no allocation of cereals for whisky distilling during 1943.

Mr. Mathers

My right hon. Friend has given a quotation from the Minister of Food, but do not the Government as a whole realise the strongly held opinion that this particular trade is still treated with a very great deal of favouritism?

Mr. Johnston

As my hon. Friend knows, that is a matter which is the subject of considerable disputation.