§ Mr. Nicholas Wintertonasked the Secretary of State for Prices and Consumer Protection if she is satisfied that the use of the traditional pub beer-engine, or handpump, is a satisfactory method of dispensing, in the interests of consumers; and if she will make it her policy that these interests will not suffer in the event of any legislation regarding legal measures.
§ Mr. John FraserI am not aware of any current dissatisfaction with beer engines as devices for dispensing beer into glasses, nor have I plans to introduce legislation which would affect their use.
§ Mr. Nicholas Wintertonasked the Secretary of State for Prices and Consumer Protection if she will explain the monitoring procedures by which her Department ensures that the lowering of gravities in the brewing industry do not result in a reduction in the quality of the product, thereby infringing the Price Code.
§ Mr. MaclennanIt has not been considered necessary to go to the expense of monitoring specific gravities in order to enforce the Price Code. The relevant provision of the code is well understood by brewers and the major companies have to pre-notify all proposed price increases to the Price Commission. But if the hon. Member has any reason to believe that the Price Code is being infringed in this way I should be glad to have the evidence examined.