HC Deb 17 July 1946 vol 425 cc1223-4
61. Captain Baird

asked the Minister of Food the output of beer on 30th September, 1945, and 1st April, 1946, respectively.

Mr. Strachey

I regret that I cannot give the information asked for by my hon. Friend, as figures of daily output are not available. With his permission, I will, however, circulate in the OFFICIAL REPORT a statement showing beer production in September, 1945, March, 1946, and April, 1946.

Captain Baird

Does the right hon. Gentleman know that in the Midlands brewers are circulating a statement to the Press saying that the cut of beer will be much more than 15 per cent. because of the increase in the output of beer between September, 1945, and April, 1946?, It may be that this is simply a political stunt.

Mr. Strachey

I can give those two figures straight away. Bulk barrels produced in September, 1945, were 2,767,323. In April, 1946, they were 2,806,392.

Captain Baird

What steps will be taken to refute the brewers' statement and the suggestion that the cut is one of 40 per cent? That must be completely untrue.

Mr. Strachey

We can publish the true figures, as I have just, done.

Following is the statement:

Home-made bees charged with Duty in the United Kingdom.
—— September, 1945. March 1946. April, 1946.
Standard" Barrels. 1,732,305 1,478,616 1,766,592
Bulk Barrels 2,767,323 2,303,148 2,806,392