§ Viscount WOLMERasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Agri- 2282W culture whether there are any restrictions now in force as to the acreage of hops that farmers may grow; and, if so, how long it is proposed to continue these restrictions, and why they are now necessary?
Sir A. BOSCAWENThe Regulations now in force permit hop growers this year to extend their last year's acreages up to 75 per cent. of their acreages in 1914, provided they obtain a licence from the Hop Controller. Any hop grower who is in a position to plant a still greater acreage can obtain a further licence from the Hop Controller. In practice the extent of replanting is limited by the lack of hop sets in the country. The limit of 75 per cent. was imposed at a time when it was still necessary to allocate as much land as possible to food production. With the diminution in the urgency of the situation all restrictions on cropping are being withdrawn.
§ Viscount WOLMERasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Agriculture what the supply of hops in the country was at the end of last harvest, and how much beer this would be sufficient to brew?
Sir A. BOSCAWENThe total production of hops in this country from the 1918 harvest was 130,272 cwts., but the Board possess no information as to the stocks of hops then held by brewers. It is estimated that this quantity would be sufficient for the brewing of about 8,000,000 barrels of beer at pre-war strength.