§ Mr. Stottasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, in view of the deteriorating quality of beer produced by the largest brewing combines, if he will undertake a study of the West German system of beer excise levies whereby duty is raised with increasing steepness beyond a certain volume of production; and consider proposing a similar system in the United Kingdom.
§ Mr. BuchanThere is no evidence that the quality of beer is declining or that
TOTAL UNITED KINGDOM COMMERCIAL PRODUCTION June-May years 1971–72 1972–73 1973–74 (Forecast) Tomatoes ('000 tons) … … … … 108.6 109.0 117.5 Cucumbers ('000 tons) … … … … 38.6 36.3 32.9 Lettuce ('000 tons) … … … … 167.1 173.9 166.5 Cut flowers ('000 acres) … … … … 11.86 11.98 11.99