§ 11. Mr. Leslie Huckfieldasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what representations he has received from hon. Members about beer prices; and what reply he has sent.
§ Mr. Anthony StodartSince the beginning of last year my right hon. Friend and I have received 10 letters from hon. Members about beer prices. Appropriate replies have been sent.
§ Mr. HuckfieldDoes the Minister of State realise that working men's club committees despair of putting up price lists since, with each delivery of stock from breweries or wholesalers, prices have gone up—not Federation, of course? How long do we have to wait until the working man has to pay 25p for his pint?
§ Mr. StodartThere have been selective increases this year by most of our leading brewers. This reflects the recommendation of the National Board for Prices and Incomes in 1969 that prices should go up in order that certain improvements might be made. I should have thought that the annual increase in consumption, the figures of which came out two days ago, seemed to imply considerable satisfaction on the part of beer drinkers.
§ Mr. Kenneth LewisWhile it may be two-edged as an argument, the fact remains that since the Government came to office the consumption of alcohol has gone up. From this increase in consumption is it not clear that people can afford to pay more?
§ Mr. StodartI also accept, generally speaking, that alcohol is something that one drinks by way of celebration.
§ Mr. BuchanDoes not the hon. Gentleman agree that this is about the only subject on which Sir William McEwan Younger has not made a pronouncement?
§ Mr. StodartI am afraid that in view of Sir William McEwan Younger's present position, that does not seem to be entirely relevant.
§ Mr. LoughlinIn addition to thinking in terms of beer prices, can the hon. Gentleman explain away the fact that over the last two or three years the specific gravity of beer has gone down to the extent that it is now near-beer and not beer at all?
§ Mr. StodartThe hon. Gentleman is renowned for his powers of exaggeration. The specific gravity of beer has fallen by a minimal amount over the last 10 years.