HC Deb 10 February 1947 vol 433 c20
25. Mr. David Griffiths

asked the Minister of Food if he will undertake to arrange that workers in the heavy industries shall have priority in the available supplies of beer.

Mr. Strachey

I am afraid the proposal would be very difficult to operate. The brewing industry has agreed to distribute beer as fairly as possible to all customers, and I do not propose to ask them to vary this arrangement.

Mr. Griffiths

While I thank my right hon. Friend for his reply— [HON. MEMBERS: "Why?"] —may I call his attention to the fact that there is grave disquiet among heavy workers in this country? [HON. MEMBERS: "Hear, hear."] Is he also aware that the miners have already indicated, through their workingmen's clubs and the licensees, that if there is not a better supply of beer —in view of the cut threatened by the brewery companies—there will be trouble in the mining world?