HC Deb 28 February 1917 vol 90 cc2052-3W
Mr. MILLAR

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Shipping Controller if he can state the saving in shipping tonnage estimated as a result of the restriction of the output of beer to 10,000,000 standard barrels, and the tonnage which will yet be required to provide the necessary materials for the manufacture of the reduced output?

Sir L. CHIOZZA MONEY

The effect of the restriction of the output of beer to 10,000,000 standard barrels will result in an estimated saving of imports (as compared with the output of 26,000,000 barrels which the Output of Beer Restriction Act designed to secure in the year ending 31st March, 1917) at the rate of about 600,000 tons deadweight in a year, which may be roundly expressed as the saving in employment of twenty-five ships, each of 6,000 tons cargo capacity, making four voyages a year. As compared with the pre-war output of 36,000,000 barrels, the estimated saving' is at the rate of nearly 1,000,000 tons dead-weight a year, which may be taken as the saving in employment of about forty-two ships, each of 6,000 tons cargo capacity, making four voyages a year. Total prohibition of the remaining 10,000,000 barrels would save a further 385,000 tons of cargo per annum as soon as it could be made effective, but in view of the malting which has already taken place it would not be possible to reduce imports to the extent of this further quantity this year.

Mr. HASLAM

asked the Prime Minister when the Regulations will come into force by which the standard barrels of beer produced will be reduced from 36,000,000 standard barrels in 1914 to 10,000,000 standard barrels; and whether the future Regulations affecting the production of beer, etc., and the amount of spirits available for consumption equally apply to Ireland?

Mr. BONAR LAW

It is proposed that the Regulation shall take effect as from the 1st April, but in the meanwhile no barley can be malted without the licence of the Food Controller. The answer to the latter part of the question is in the affirmative.

Mr. MILLAR

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food what is the estimated saving in barley sugar and other food materials resulting from the further restriction in the output of beer from 18,000,000 to 10,000,000 standard barrels; and from what date this restriction will take effect?

Captain BATHURST

The estimated saving of brewers' materials through the further restriction in the output of beer from 18,000,000 to 10,000,000 standard barrels is, approximately, 280,000 tons of barley, 35,000 tons of sugar, and 17,000 tons of grits. The new restriction will come into force on 1st April.