HC Deb 28 October 1946 vol 428 c293
86. Lieut.-Colonel Kingsmill

asked the Minister of Food whether he is aware that Denmark is exporting 80,000,000 bottles of beer to the U.S.A. and Africa; and whether His Majesty's Government have made any representations on this matter with a view to securing Danish barley for other European countries in need of food.

Dr. Summerskill

I have no further information about the export of beer from Denmark than was included in the reply given to the hon. Member for Sutton Coldfield (Sir J. Mellor) on 16th October, of which I am sending the hon. and gallant Member a copy.

Lieut.-Colonel Kingsmill

Will the Minister make representations to the Ministry of Agriculture and the Board of Trade, with a view to allowing beer of an exportable nature to be brewed in this country, in order that we may retain our export trade?

Dr. Summerskill

I must remind the hon. and gallant Gentleman that the importing countries of cereals have to satisfy the Cereal Committee of the International Council in the first place, and when they have had their allocation made to them, we cannot dictate to a sovereign country how it shall use its cereals.