§ 116. Mr. A. Evansasked the Minister of Food if he is aware that recent price increases on some bottled beers and wines are greater than the amounts of the recent additional duties; and will he make clear to the public the exact amounts per bottle of the additional duties.
§ Dr. Edith SummerskillMy Department does not control the retail price of beer, but the increases in the agreed prices for wines are slightly higher than the amount of the additional duties, to cover higher distributive costs. The additional customs, duty on wines is equivalent to 10d. per bottle for lower strength wines and 1s. 8d. per bottle for higher strength wines. Strengths of bottled beers vary greatly, but the increase in duty in typical cases would represent ½d to ¾d. per half-pint bottle.