§ Mr. O'SHEEasked the Minister of Munitions what is the proportion of the entire production of patent-still whisky now utilised for munitions and industrial purposes; how many distilleries are at present under Government control and utilised for other purposes than making alcohol; how many other distilleries are about to be utilised for such other purposes; and what percentage of the total present production of patent and pot-still whisky, respectively, is being used for Government and other industrial purposes?
§ Mr. KELLAWAYA greater proportion of patent still spirit than hitherto will shortly be required for war purposes, but it is not in the public interest to give the detailed information for which my hon. Friend asks.
Mr. CHANCELLORasked the Minister of Munitions whether more and, if so, how many distilleries have been taken over by the Government beyond the two mentioned on 26th October; whether in these eases the Government uses the whole output; whether the quantity used by the Government is included in the returns of quantities cleared for home consumption; and, if so, can he, without detriment to the public interest, give either the exact quantities used by the Government, or the 896W total quantities used for industrial, including Government, purposes, or the proportion used in industry of the total returned as cleared for home consumption?
§ Dr. ADDISONBeyond the two distilleries referred to in the question, no more distilleries have been taken over. It would not be in the public interest to give the further information asked for in the question.