§ Mr. John Townendasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what information he has as to the number of people directly employed in the manufacture of British sherry, excluding selling and distribution.
§ Mrs. FennerI am advised by the chairman of the British Wine Producers Committee of the Wine and Spirit Association that 1,200 people are directly involved in the manufacture of British wine. A further 800 people are involved in allied activities, such as labelling, packaging and marketing, all of whom are reliant on the existence of this industry for their livelihood.
It is not possible to give an exact figure of those involved in the production of British sherry alone. British sherry accounts for approximately two thirds of the total production of British wine, but there is not necessarily a direct link between the volume of production and level of employment.