§ Commander BELLAIRSasked the Minister of Agriculture what is the present annual consumption of English hops; what has been they average production of English hops for the last three years; what was the restriction imposed in 1923; and what was the proportion of the British production actual or allowed for the last three years to the brewers' consumption of all hops during the same three years in the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland?
Mr. WOODThe estimated annual consumption during the last three years of English hops in Great Britain, Northern Ireland and the Free State amounts to 328,800 cwt. The average production of English hops for the three years 1922-24 amounts to 344,288. In 1923, growers were restricted to producing 71½ per cent. of their average production for the years 1920-22. The total production of English hops for the years 1922-24 was 1,032,864 cwts., the total consumption of all hops, English and foreign, in Great Britain and Northern Ireland for the same period was 1,083,860 cwts., i.e., about 5 per cent. more than the production.
954W
§ Commander BELLAIRSasked the Minister of Agriculture if the present proportionate system of using foreign hops is maintained when the control ceases, how long will the present visible supply of foreign hops last British brewers if the consumption of beer continues on the present level?
§ Commander BELLAIRSasked the Minister of Agriculture what were the stocks of hops in the brewers' hands in the United Kingdom, excluding the Irish Free State, as estimated by the control on 30th September, 1924; what was the total amount of foreign hops freed for use and in bond on 30th September, 1924; what was the total weight of the 1924 English crop; and what would be the total weight of English hops available for the consumption of brewers in the United Kingdom, excluding the Irish Free State?
Mr. WOODThe stocks of hops in brewers' hands in the United Kingdom, excluding the Irish Free State on 30th September, 1924, were estimated at 177,400 cwts.
cwts. The quantity of foreign hops free for use in 30th September, 1924 was 39,240 The quantity of foreign hops in bond on 30th September, 1924, was 105,704 Total of foreign hops freed for use and in bond 144,944 The actual total weight of 1924 English crop was 476,916 cwts.
With regard to the last part of the question, the estimated weight of English hops available for use on 30th September, 1924 (including 1924 crop) was 583,160 cwts., and the estimated weight of English hops available for use on 30th September, 1925 (including the 1925 crop) is 579,938 cwts.
§ Commander BELLAIRSasked the Minister of Agriculture what quantity of foreign hops has been imported since 30th September, 1924; and what is the quantity of hops abroad contracted for by British brewers up to and including the 1924 crop?
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Mr. WOODThe quantity of hops imported since 30th September, 1924, up to 5th May, 1925, were
cwts. Foreign … … … 29,896½ Dominion … … … 6,446½ Total imported hops … 36,343 The amount of hops abroad contracted for by brewers, including the 1924 crop, is 102,252 cwts.
§ Commander BELLAIRSasked the Minister of Agriculture what is the present annual consumption of all hops used by British brewers, excluding the Irish Free State; what is the actual proportion of foreign hops as compared to English; and what quantity does the Controller estimate will be left unused on 16th August, 1925?
Mr. WOODThe actual consumption for the 12 months ending 30th September, 1924, was
Cwt. English … … 297,222 Foreign … … 59,444 These figures are subject to corrections involving approximately 6,000 to 8,000 cwt. of Dominion hops, which cannot readily be separated in making up the totals. It is assumed that the consumption and the proportion of English to foreign will be substantially the same for the current year. It is estimated that the surplus of English hops on 30th September, 1925, will be about 260,000 cwt. in addition to the crop of the year.