Mr. COOTEasked the Food Controller if it is intended in the near future to release an extra percentage of alcoholic spirits for consumption in Ireland, and, if so, will he state the amount; if it is also intended to increase the barrelage of beer for consumption in Ireland, and, if so, to what extent; if there is also to be an increase in the strength of this beer and what increase; and is he aware of the strong desire expressed by the majority of the people of Ireland represented at present in this House at the late election in favour of a curtailment instead of an increase in this traffic?
Mr. ROBERTSI have asked the War Cabinet to consider the advisability of increasing the amount of spirits to be released from bond. The statutory barrelage of beer has recently been increased by 25 per cent. and the average gravity has been increased by 2 per cent. The answer to the last part of the question is in the negative.