HC Deb 10 May 1971 vol 817 cc29-31
45. Mr. Lipton

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what information and proposals he has received from the Brewers' Society about widening the choice available to the public in places where a large proportion of the licensed premises is owned by the same brewer.

Mr. Ridley

The Brewers' Society have sent me a copy of a factual report on local concentration of ownership of licensed premises, and I am studying this.

Mr. Lipton

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that the subject of freeing tied houses has been under consideration for more than a year, and that the Government have not made any effort to carry into effect the recommendation of the Monopolies Commission that the system of the tied house should be ended? Is he further aware that it looks as though there is some unholy conspiracy between the Government and the brewers to bog down the whole subject of the tied house until the general report on the licensing laws is received? When will the Government take action to implement the recommendations of the Monopolies Commission?

Mr. Ridley

The hon. Gentleman is quite wrong. The Government have set up a committee to inquire into the form of the licensing laws. The Government have noted with approval the voluntary undertaking by the brewers, which is not called for in the Monopolies Commission Report, about the sale of non-beer products. We are actively studying the subject of the local monopolies of pubs. If that is not taking action after the six years of inactivity by our predecessors, I do not know what is.

Mr. Tom Boardman

Is it not a fact that the Monopolies Commission made no recommendation except that about changing the licensing laws, and is not a review to that end now being conducted by the Erroll Committee?

Mr. Ridley

That is quite true. The only recommendation of the Commission was that the licensing laws should be changed, and my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary immediately set that inquiry in train.

Mr. Dell

Can the hon. Gentleman say when he received the report from the Brewers Society about concentration in particular areas and when he expects to come to a decision about it?

Mr. Ridley

We have only just received it, and I should like to study it before being able to say when we shall come to a conclusion.

Mr. Marten

Is it not a fact that some brewers with monopolies in some areas have already begun to swap pubs with other brewers so that there will no longer be monopolies in those areas?

Mr. Ridley

I have heard of informal proposals of that sort, but I do not think that any such steps have yet been taken.

Mr. Lipton

On a point of order. In view of the completely unsatisfactory nature of all the replies, I will raise the matter on the Adjournment as soon as possible.