§ Major NEWTONasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food (1) whether his attention has been drawn to the growing discontent amongst all classes engaged in the production of home-grown food at the refusal of the Government to take steps to make available a suitable supply of malt for the production of home-brewed beer for agricultural labourers during haysel and harvest; and whether, in the interests of efficient and zealous work during harvest, he will reconsider his decision; and (2) whether he is able to state how much malt would be required to provide the necessary quantity of home-brewed beer for agricultural labourers during harvest; whether he is aware that a slight diminution in zeal and efficiency on the part of agricultural labourers at harvest would be more costly to the nation's food supply than the setting free of the requisite quantity of malt; whether, in the interests of the nation's food supply, he will authorise such further malting as may be necessary for this purpose; and, if this be not possible, will he 1318W consider the question and take steps in some other direction which shall secure that there shall be made available for agricultural labourers a sufficient quantity of beer of suitable quality at reasonable prices during the periods of harvest?
§ Mr. BRIDGEMANThe question whether it is possible under the present restrictions to make special provision for the supply of beer for agricultural labourers is engaging attention, but I am not in a position to make any definite announcement.