§ Commander BELLAIRSasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that the stocks of hops in this country in proporton to requirements are much larger than usual now in consequence of the restriction on the output of beer, and the market is very depressed; whether he is aware that the Department of Import Restrictions is offering licences for the import of hops; and whether he will put a stop to these licences?
Mr. HARCOURTIt is not the case that the Department of Import Restrictions has offered licences; for the importation of hops. The hon. and gallant Member is doubtless aware that with regard to all prohibited articles permission is accorded to import consignmentsbona fide en route to British consignees, or actually paid for by them, before the dates on which the respective prohibitions were announced to the public. Apart from the 1 comparatively small quantities of hops 1885W which have been entered under this concession licences have been given only for small quantities of hops grown within the British Empire or from that part of Belgium which is in the occupation of the Allies.