HC Deb 03 August 1972 vol 842 cc198-9W
Mr. William Wilson

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will introduce legislation to compel the vendor of draught beers to indicate whether the beer has been drawn from the barrel, cask or keg.

Mr. Prior

No. The vendor may indicate this information voluntarily and the consumer can ask for it when being served. In each case the provisions of the Food and Drugs Act, 1955, and the Trade Descriptions Act, 1968, about false or misleading statements would apply.

Mr. William Wilson

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will introduce legislation requiring the labelling of all beers sold by retail both draught and bottled in the following respects, the alcoholic content, the original gravity and the method and place of brewing.

Mr. Prior

The country of origin of the beer is one of the matters required to be shown on the label under the Labelling of Food Regulations, 1970 which will come into force on 1st January, 1973. Information about alcoholic content, original gravity and the method of brewing and further details about the place of brewing may be given voluntarily but there are no proposals to make this mandatory.

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