§ Mr. Roperasked the Secretary of State for Prices and Consumer Protection whether, in view of the fact that the safeguard regulations have obliged the Price Commission to allow Allied Breweries to increase the price of its beer by 2p a pint and that similar increases are being implemented by other major brewers, any of the brewers have indicated for how long they intend to hold these increased prices; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. MaclennanI understand that, in the absence of exceptionally large unforeseen cost increases or changes in indirect taxation, Bass Charrington has offered to hold the prices of its beers for a year after the increases to be implemented later this month; similarly, Courage and Scottish & Newcastle have both offered to hold their recently increased prices until at least October. I welcome the willingness of some brewers to reduce the frequency of their price increases, compared with the last few years, and I hope that others will follow their example.