§ 8. Sir Anthony DurantTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether she will be attending the great British beer festival in 1994 to discuss the promotion of British beer.
§ Mr. SoamesMy right hon. Friend and I are always keen to promote the interests of our drinks industry.
§ Sir Anthony DurantI am pleased to hear my hon. Friend's comment. Is he aware that the British brewing industry can compete adequately in the home market, but it is being damaged by the difference between the duty rates here and in France? Some 12 per cent. of take-home beer now comes across the channel into Britain. Will my hon. Friend have a look at that, bearing in mind that some of the southern breweries are having difficulties? My brewery, Courage, has just laid off 250 men. Will my hon. Friend talk to my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer about the matter?
§ Mr. SoamesI am very sorry to hear about the position at Courage, which affects my hon. Friend's constituents. Certainly, we are aware of the serious anxiety in the industry about duty-paid allowances. I will ensure that my hon. Friend's points are raised with my right hon. Friend the Chancellor.
§ Mr. CryerWill the Minister examine the reverse side of the promotion of British beer—the enormous damage which is done by alcohol abuse? Alcohol abuse costs the nation dear in expenditure by the national health service and in other ways. Will the Minister ensure that he remains completely at arm's length from the brewing industry? Will he examine the possibility of promoting a ban on the advertising of alcohol products? Only by doing that will he ensure that the Government's reputation of keeping 968 themselves at arm's length from the brewers is retained, especially in view of the massive donations that the brewing industry makes to the Tory party.
§ Mr. SoamesI am pleased to be able to tell the hon. Gentleman that I am completely at arm's length from the brewing industry because I do not drink beer. "The Health of the Nation", a document which has been broadly welcomed in the House, contains references to the points that the hon. Gentleman made. Although we would not consider some of the more extreme suggestions that he made, I will certainly make sure that his views are represented to my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Health at a meeting that I am to have later today.
§ Mr. John MarshallMay I first congratulate my hon. Friend? Does he accept that it would be wrong to ban the advertising of products, the consumption and production of which are legal? Does the suggestion not show that the Labour party is full of misery guts?
§ Mr. SoamesI am not sure that I wholly agree with my hon. Friend, but his central point is correct. It would be improper to do such a thing.