§ 58. Mr. Emrys Hughesasked the Minister of Food what representations were made to him by the Scotch Whisky Association about increased allocations of barley to the distilling industry; and what was the nature of his reply.
§ Dr. SummerskillMy right hon. Friend has reviewed with the Association the position concerning cereal allocations and releases of whisky during the coming 12 months. It has been agreed that the allocations for that period should be increased to 300,000 tons. There will be some increases in the releases of whisky during the period, but the whole of this must go for export.
Major LloydIs the right hon. Lady aware—I am sure she is—that that is about the only thing that was agreed and that the Association disagreed with every single thing the Minister said.
§ Dr. SummerskillI am afraid the hon. and gallant Gentleman has been misinformed. The allocation which the Association had last year was 250,000 tons, and now we shall give them up to their capacity. We are giving them 300,000 tons, which means that the distilleries which had no barley before, can now come into operation.
§ Mr. HughesCan the right hon. Lady assure us that there were no contact people on this deputation from the Scotch Whisky Association? Is she aware that there is great discontent in Scotland about the huge profits made by the whisky combine, and will she agree to nationalise it?
§ Mr. BoothbyMay I ask the right hon. Lady if she holds out absolutely no hope 1865 of some slight issue of whisky for the people of this country, for, after all, they make the stuff?
§ Dr. SummerskillCertainly, I can hold out a lot of hope. They will have two million proof gallons to drink.