§ 61. Mr. Evelyn Walkdenasked the Minister of Food whether he is aware that much of the cause of the shortage of supplies of whisky and the consequent growth of illicit trading is due to the stopping of supplies of grain and raw materials to produce supplies of whisky for future years; and whether he will now review all the factors of cause, scarcity, price control and future national needs, with a view to imposing a control on every stage of the industry?
§ Mr. MabaneNo, Sir; without entering into the reasons why whisky is in short supply, which are complex, my right hon. Friend could not agree to the institution of a control such as my hon. Friend suggests.
§ Mr. WalkdenIs it not a fact that the former Minster of Food, Lord Woolton, made numerous promises after various representations had been made to him? Is nobody going to deal with this very difficult problem? Does not the Ministry intend to handle it properly, instead of making vague promises?
§ Mr. MabaneI was answering for my Noble Friend. It is quite certain that whisky is in short supply because the cereals have not been devoted to its production, but the trade are releasing the major part of the supply at proper prices. There is, however, a small amount of whisky which is being sold at high prices, but it would not be justifiable to use manpower to control a matter of that kind.
§ Mr. WalkdenIs the Minister aware that there will not be any whisky two years from now?