Bottled and Canned Beers

HC Deb 19 May 1966 vol 728 cc1537-8

38 and 45. Mr. Rhodes

asked the President of the Board of Trade (1) whether he will introduce regulations so that bottled and canned beers are sold in future only in pints and half pints; and whether he will make a statement;

(2) whether he will introduce regulations to ensure that in future the quantity of beer sold in cans is indicated on the label of the container.

Mr. Mason

The Weights and Measures Act already requires closed containers of beer to be marked with an indication of quantity unless they contain less than three fluid ounces or more than one gallon. I have no evidence at present to suggest that it would be desirable to provide also that they should contain only pints and half pints.

Mr. Rhodes

Is my hon. Friend aware that the trade in general is selling this liquid in containers of 19 1/3rd and 9 2/3rd. fluid ozs. which is different from the standardised pint and half-pint of 20 and 10 fluid ozs. respectively? Is it not time that consumers were protected by having this liquid sold in quantities popularly understood in order to stop this diminishing pint?

Mr. Mason

If evidence were forthcoming of a wide variation in the quantities in which prepacked beer is packed, or of a significant variation from the present quantities, consideration would have to be given to presenting an Order in the House.