§ Lord Mason of Barnsleyasked Her Majesty's Government:
What steps they intend to take to control increases in the price of beer, and what has been the average price to the consumer of a pint of (a) draught beer, and (b) draught lager, in 1979, 1983, 1988 and the latest date for which figures are available.
§ The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Trade and Industry (Lord Reay)The Government have taken a number of measures in response to the MMC's reportThe Supply of Beer which will sharpen competition in the brewing industry. Increased competition can be expected to bring greater choice to consumers.
The following table gives estimates of the average prices of draught beer and lager based on data collected for the retail prices index:
May 1979 May 1983 May 1988 May 1991 Draught bitter 34p 64p 87p £1.23 Draught lager 39p 72p 98p £1.37