§ Mr. Morleyasked the Minister of Food why a 15 per cent. cut by the Government has meant a 30 to 50 per cent. cut in the supply of beer by brewers to licensees.
§ Mr. StracheyBrewers were instructed, as from 1st May, to reduce their production to 85 per cent. of the year ended the 30th September last. This year was chosen as a datum as it is the most recent completed brewing year and most nearly reflects current conditions. Production in the months between the 30th September and 1st May last, was, however, higher168W than in the corresponding months of the datum year and the output of certain brewers immediately before the cut, may have been abnormally high. These circumstances may account for variations with incidence of the cut in particular cases, but I doubt when the reduction was in any case as large as that suggested by my hon. Friend. As from the 1st of August there will be, as already answered an increase of some 8 per cent. over present supplies.