HC Deb 16 October 1946 vol 427 cc889-90
51. Sir J. Mellor

asked the Minister of Food if he is aware that beer is being exported from Holland and Denmark; whether the British Government have agreed to the allocation by the International Emergency Food Council to Holland and Denmark of grain in excess of their domestic requirements; and whether he will propose the re-allocation of any surplus.

Dr. Summerskill

Small quantities of beer are being exported from Holland and Denmark. I understand that Denmark's imports of cereals are almost balanced by her exports, and that although Holland has been receiving substantial imports, these have not exceeded her requirements as ascertained by the I.E.F.C. Cereals Committee. In any case we estimate that she will only have needed some 300 tons of barley to brew the beer she exported in the first half of 1946.

Sir J. Mellor

If anyone is going to make beer out of this grain, why should we not do it in Britain?

Dr. Summerskill

We cannot dictate to Holland and Denmark what they shall do. They are sovereign countries.