§ 33. Mr. Arthur Lewisasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he has considered the increased profits of brewery companies revealed in their recent published reports and the fact that the Government's decision to allow increased prices in beer will entail large increases in future profits; whether he had this information when he agreed to increases in the price of beer; and whether he will have further investigations made into the brewery industry to see to what extent they can reduce their prices.
§ Mr. HoyThe Government's decision was taken in the light of the thorough examination by the National Board for Prices and Incomes of the brewing industry's cost and price structure and its ability to finance future investment requirements. The increased profits in question are small in relation to these requirements and we see no reason for a further investigation.