HC Deb 05 July 1976 vol 914 cc957-9
20. Mr. David Watkins

asked the Secretary of State for Prices and Consumer Protection when she will prescribe a range of minimum quantities for the sale of wine.

Mr. Maclennan

We have taken action to prescribe quantities for wine sold in carafes. The position for bottled wine is more complex, but we shall be intro- ducing legislation to provide that most bottled table wines will have to bear an indication of contents and be put up in a range of prescribed sizes by 31st August 1977.

Mr. Watkins

Is my hon. Friend aware that I am interested to hear that? Is he further aware that there is an immense variation in the quantity, quality and price of carafe wine and wine served in glasses with meals in restaurants? Does he agree that there is urgent need for the enforcement of a proper standard that is fair to the consumer?

Mr. Maclennan

I entirely agree with my hon. Friend. That is why we are proceeding with all possible expedition.

Mr. Adley

While we all realise that the Minister is answering this Question because of the drubbing his hon. Friend the Minister of State received in the House the other night, may I ask him to tell his hon. Friend, who is sitting one away from him, that on this matter and on the important subject which I raised a few moments ago of hire purchase Orders it is the consumer and not the manufacturer or supplier of services about whom we are concerned? Is he aware that it does not make sense for the Government on the one hand to introduce legislation which confuses the consumer by saying that wine must be served only in glasses and carafes of certain sizes and on the other hand to introduce Orders which restrict hire-purchase facilities to consumers?

Mr. Maclennan

I have studied with great care the hon. Gentleman's contribution to our debate on the Sale of Wine Order. All I can say is that I think he does no service to the trade which he represents in this House by seeking to abuse or misrepresent the position of the Government. It is with a full consciousness of the importance of serving consumer interest that we have brought forward these proposals.

Mr. Adley

May I ask the Minister to withdraw that wholly offensive remark? I am an unpaid member of the National Council of the British Hotels, Restaurants and Caterers Association. Will the Minister withdraw that offensive comment?

Mr. Maclennan

I am not clear what I have to withdraw. The hon. Gentleman made clear in the debate what his financial connection with the industry was, as well as what his representative role was in this House. It is common knowledge, and there is nothing for me to withdraw.

Mr. Rost

On a point of order, Mr. Speaker. Is it not a fact that Members of Parliament represent constituencies and not other interests?

Mr. Speaker

It is not for me to explain what other people may say. If there were any implication that the hon. Member is not acting solely as an hon. Member, it would be wrong. I gather that the Minister's explanation was that he did not mean there to be any such implication.