§ Lord Cocks of Hartcliffeasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they will refer back to the Monopolies Commission the practice of certain brewers of discontinuing the sale in public houses of locally-made rough ciders in order to sell commercial cider which they themselves manufacture.
Viscount AstorThe supply of Beer (Tied Estate) Order 1989 has prevented the major brewers from dictating the choice of non-beer drinks, including cider, sold in tenanted houses in their tied estate since 1st May 1990. Tenants of the major brewers are thus free to sell the cider of their choice, from whatever supplier, in their houses. Any concerns that pressure is being put on tenants to sell a particular brand of non-beer drink should be taken up with the Office of Fair Trading.