§ 52. Mr. Keelingasked the Minister of Food whether he will now announce any reduction in the prices of French and Algerian wines, brandy and liqueurs consequent on the fall in the value of the franc.
§ The Minister of Food (Mr. Strachey)These wines are imported under licence by the trade and negotiations over the prices to be paid to the French exporters are going on.
§ Mr. KeelingWill the Minister give an assurance that the Government's policy to reduce prices will be applied in this field, so far as possible?
§ Mr. StracheyI think that it will be applied by 'the purchasers in their own interests.
§ Mr. J. HudsonIn view of the nation's economic difficulties, would my right hon. Friend be prepared to recommend to his questioner that this is not so much a question of a reduction of prices as a reduction of the brandy and the wines?
§ Mr. DribergIs my right hon. Friend aware that at least one London wine merchant has already very public-spiritedly brought his prices down for French wine, and will he take the earliest possible steps to reduce the maximum prices printed on the labels?
§ 53. Mr. Keelingasked the Minister of Food whether, in order to reduce profits on spirits sold in shops which draw their supplies from sources other than the distilleries, he will limit the price at which a bottle of whisky or gin can be sold to the retail price fixed by the distilleries.
§ Mr. StracheyThe Scotch Whisky Association and the gin rectifiers take what action is in their power to stop this practice. We are considering whether we can give them further help.
§ Mr. KeelingIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that whisky and gin are being sold in many shops for £3 or £4 a bottle, 1237 and will he give an assurance that in this field he will, if he can, apply the Government's policy of reducing prices?
§ Mr. StracheyYes, Sir. I met the Scotch Whisky Association on this matter and other matters yesterday.
§ Mr. ScollanI recently put a Question to the Minister on this matter. Is he aware that about 40 per cent. of the whisky for home consumption is now collared in the black market, and offered to the trade at £41 5s. per' case of 12 bottles, raising the price to the retailer to £3 8s. 9d. a bottle? Why should the poor publicans get the blame? Is the Minister taking any action to stop this practice?
§ Mr. StracheyThe proportion is not as high as that, but it is a serious proportion.
§ Mr. ScollanIt is as high as that.
§ Mr. StracheyWe do not take the view that it is as high.
§ Mr. ScollanOn a point of Order.
§ Mr. SpeakerThe hon. Member cannot raise a point of Order when the Minister is answering the Question.
§ Mr. Godfrey NicholsonIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that gin is only sold by the rectifiers on the express condition that the prices are strictly adhered to, and if any cases are brought directly to the notice of the rectifiers that this is not being done, the supply is cut off.
§ Mr. StracheyI am well aware that the gin rectifiers are doing their best to stop this traffic. It is merely a question of what help we can give them to enforce their regulations.