HC Deb 13 March 1946 vol 420 cc1096-7
54. Mr. Peter Freeman

asked the Minister of Food what is the total amount of each variety of food used in 1945 by the brewery and distillery industries; and whether it is his intention to utilise any of this supply to meet the present food shortage.

Dr. Summerskill

I would refer my hon. Friend to the replies given on 21st February to the hon. Member for West-houghton (Mr. Rhys Davies) and on 6th March to the hon. Members for Altrincham (Colonel Erroll) and for Clapham (Mr. Battley) of which I am sending him copies.

Mr. Freeman

Is the hon. Lady aware that there is widespread apprehension over the existence of the waste of this food, particularly in view of the starvation throughout the world, and will she consider allocating some of it to some useful purpose?

Dr. Summerskill

When the hon. Member has read the answers to which I have referred him, he will find we are no longer allocating grain to distillers and, therefore, the production of whisky has ceased for the time being. [Hon. Members: "Shame "] We are reviewing the position of the brewers.