41. Mr. Gresham Cookeasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what steps the Government is taking to implement the Report of the National Board for Prices and Incomes on the Brewing Industry, particularly paragraph 43 which recommends an inquiry into how control can be maintained over the 1857 sale of alcoholic liquor without impeding the entry of new competitors into the industry.
§ Mr. PeartI have already reached agreement with the Brewers' Society about giving effect to the recommendation in the report of the National Board for Prices and Incomes that there should be a check to increases in beer prices. The main features of this understanding were announced in a Press notice issued by my Department on 29th April.
The suggestion in paragraph 43 of the Report that there should be an inquiry into how best to maintain control over the sale of alcoholic liquor without impeding the entry of new competitors into the industry is under consideration by the Ministers concerned.
Mr. Gresham CookeIf the Government want the distribution side of the brewing industry to be more efficient and flexible—as undoubtedly they do, judging by the introduction of the proposal for the Selective Employment Tax—would not the Minister agree that the conditions of entry for places like supermarkets will have to be looked at again and these out-of-date rules modernised?
§ Mr. PeartAs I said, I am looking at entries into the industry, but other Departments are affected. I am sure that the hon. Member will agree that we want to help to increase the industry's efficiency.