HC Deb 25 November 1942 vol 385 cc710-1
37. Mr. McKinlay

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies the quantity of beer and spirits imported into the West Indies since January, 1942, to latest available date?

The Secretary of State for the Colonies (Colonel Oliver Stanley)

The information requested by my hon. Friend is available only in respect of British Guiana, British Honduras, Trinidad, Grenada, and Barbados, and covers the six months ended June, 1942. During that period a total quantity of 97,410 gallons of ale, beer and stout and 60,548 gallons of spirits was imported into the Colonies named.

Mr. MacKinlay

Can the right hon. and gallant Gentleman tell me just what shipping space it takes to transport this stuff to the West Indies?

Colonel Stanley

No, Sir.

Mr. MacKinlay

Can the right hon. and gallant Gentleman tell me just what shipping space it takes to transport this stuff to the West Indies?

Colonel Stanley

This is a question about beer and spirits going into the West Indies.

Mr. McKinlay

But they take shipping space.

Mr. Evelyn Walkden

Is the right hon. and gallant Gentleman aware that some months ago, when this issue was raised along with the question of foodstuffs, hon. Members received information that this trade was being encouraged to keep open post-war markets?

Colonel Stanley

I think we are trying to maintain in the West Indies the same delicate balance between hard necessity and normal human frailty as we do in this country.