HC Deb 05 May 1953 vol 515 cc208-9
59. Mr. Stokes

asked the Minister of Food the export price to the United States of America of a case of Scotch whisky today, compared with the price in 1939.

The Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food (Dr. Charles Hill)

I understand that the price recommended by the Scotch Whisky Association to its members for Scotch whisky for export to the United States of America is 86s. 3d. per case of 12 bottles, f.o.b., compared with 45s. in 1939.

Mr. Stokes

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that this means that a case of Scotch whisky is being sold today to America at 12 dollars compared with nine dollars pre-war, which is an increase of only 25 cents a bottle for export, whereas a bottle of Scotch whisky in America is sold at 2.72 dollars more than before the war? That being so, does he think it right to allow distillers to have lots of barley and to export their whisky at too low a price?

Dr. Hill

The right hon. Gentleman will realise that the export of whisky to North America has trebled since before the war with a value which is five times what it was, and that there are strong objections to the Government intervening in the determination of export prices. We should rely on the experts in the industry to determine the price.

Mr. Stokes

Will the Minister tell the House from where he gets his figures, because the Scotch whisky distillers themselves published as a fact the other day that Scotch whisky sales had only gone up from 4.8 million gallons before the war to about 6.3 million gallons this year. 1 think that he must be mixing up sterling with proof gallons. Whatever else one can do with sterling, one cannot drink it.

Dr. Hill

The figures come from those who know, the Scotch Whisky Association.

Mr. Stokes

Will the hon. Gentleman really look into this matter? Is he aware of the general trend of prices and that everything we buy from America costs about three times as much, and most things which we send to America cost the Americans about 2½ times as much in dollars, yet for some extraordinary reason, though the sales of Scotch whisky went up in America last year, we are only getting about 33 per cent. in dollars more than before the war?

Dr. Hill

I will gladly look into the matter afresh, but the right hon. Gentleman should bear in mind the competitive conditions which obtain in North America.

Mr. Stokes

The Minister is evading the issue. Scotch whisky distillers themselves admit that while the total whisky sales in America went down last year, Scotch whisky sales went up. There is no excuse whatever for keeping the export price down as it is today.

Mr. Emrys Hughes

In view of the unsatisfactory nature of the reply, I beg to give notice that I shall raise the matter on the Adjournment.