§ Sir L. LYLEasked the Minister of Agriculture how many cwts. of 1923 English hops have been allotted to brewers; and how many out of this allotment can be supplied?
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§ Mr. BUXTONI am consulting with the Hop Controller on the subject, and will communicate with the hon. Member.
§ Sir L. LYLEasked the Minister of Agriculture how many cwts. of English hops of the 1923 growth were destroyed by the Hop Controller owing to his refusal to allow their being picked; what was the value of these hops; and how many hop pickers consequently lost their employment?
§ Mr. BUXTONI regret that I have no information which would indicate the quantity or value of the hops which were not allowed to be picked last year, but I would remind the hon. Member that the restriction of production was ordered in the interests of the hop industry as a whole. It is impossible to determine what effect the restriction of hop production had on the numbers of pickers employed.