§ Mr. William Wilsonasked the Secretary of State for Trade if he will introduce legislation to prevent any brewery company or group of brewery companies from owning or managing more than 1,000 premises licensed for the sale of intoxicants.
Mr. Alan WilliamsI have been asked to reply.
No. Although the Monopolies Commission found that the tied house system had certain disadvantageous effects, it was not able to recommend the separation of brewing from the ownership or control of retail outlets. Its only recommendation was that the licensing system should be substantially relaxed. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Home Department has under consideration the report of the Erroll Committee which made recommendations on this subject.