§ Sir WILLIAM BULLasked the President of the Board of Trade what was the amount of wine of Australian origin imported into the United Kingdom in the years 1913 and 1917, respectively; whether, in view of the importance of the British market to Australian wine producers and of the demand for Australian wine among a large class of consumers in this country, tonnage facilities for the importation of Australian wine on an increasing scale can now be provided; and, if so, on what date an approximation to the amount of pre-war imports may be expected?
§ Mr. BRIDGEMANThe imports for the years 1913 and 1917 were 624,000 gallons and 290,000 gallons respectively. Now tonnage is more freely available the imports will shortly be increased, but the probable date of restoration of the pre-war level will depend on the demands made on available freight space by food and essential raw materials.
§ Sir W. BULLasked the President of the Board of Trade whether, in view of the importance of the wine industry to our French Allies and of the value to them of the normal sale of French wines in the British market, and in consideration of the fact that French wines of the lighter sort are not to any appreciable extent a cause of drunkenness in this country, he will inquire into the causes which at present restrict the supply and inflate the prices of light French wines in the British market and take steps to provide that reasonable adequate supplies of such wines at reasonable prices shall be made available for British consumers?
§ Mr. BRIDGEMANI will cause inquiry to be made. A general licence has been 605W issued for the importation of light wines and I know of no restrictions in the way of their use.