Lords Sitting of 4 July 1823

BEER BILL.
On the order of the day for the third reading of this bill,
Lord Ellenboroughrose to move the omission of a clause which appeared to him both absurd and unjust; absurd, because it would not attain the end proposed; and unjust, as tending to depreciate the value of capital already invested in the Beer Trade. This new beer was intended as a boon to the public; but, according to the present price of table-beer, the consumers would, in the new beer, have an improvement of one-sixth in quality, for which they were to pay an increase in price of one-third. So that, instead of being advantageous, the public would be paying, at the dearest possible rate for a beer little superior to that which was at present brewed But the clause he particularly objected to, was that which prevented the brewer from brewing the new beer on the same premises which he

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used for brewing other beer. To prevent to the brewer from mixing a certain proportion of the new beer with strong ale, was the intention of the clause; but the act did not prevent, him from brewing the strongest ale on the same premises with the present table-beer; by mixing which, the advantage to the brewer would be greater than any he could obtain by so dealing with the new beer. Their lordships would consider also the great injustice of the clause as regarded the capitals already invested in breweries.
Lord Bexleysaid, that the object of the bill was, to produce a more palatable and wholesome beverage for general use than could be found at present; and experience had proved, that such an object could not be accomplished unless the present brewers were prohibited from manufacturing it on the same premises in which they conducted their other business. It would also lead to numberless frauds, so that the clause was absolutely indispensable. He hoped that the effect of the present bill would be, to lay the foundation of a better arrangement for the collection of the beer duties, and for determining accurately the proportions, and ascertaining the strength of the liquor.
Lord Dacreadmitted that the object of the bill was good; but expressed his apprehension that by excluding the old brewers, they would defeat their own intention. He thought it would be better to suspend any further proceeding until the next session, when they would have time to inquire more fully into the matter.
The Earl of Liverpoolsaid, that if the brewers of the new beer were allowed to brew it on the same premises as the old, it would lead to endless frauds on the Excise. Indeed, he had been told by an eminent brewer, that the temptation would be so great, that flesh and blood could not withstand it. If permission were given to brew the new beer in the same manufactory with strong beer and ale, the public would never get a good article. The only chance of securing a good and palatable beverage was by insisting that it should be made in separate premises. If they left out this clause, they would throw the beer trade into the hands of the old speculators, who were in general large capitalists.
Lord Ellenboroughconceived this clause to press very hard upon the brewers; and the only consolation he could give them, if it Were carried, was this—that the beer
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brewed under it would be so had that nobody would drink it.
The bill was then passed.