§ Mr. Colvinasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) if he will introduce legislation to require all bulk beer containers to be stamped with their empty weight; and if he will take steps to introduce statutory controls regarding minimum quantities included in those bulk beer containers;
(2) if he will introduce legislation to require brewers to have the gross weight, to include the weight of the invoiced quantity of beer, and the net weight of the container, including spile, clearly stamped on all containers of draught beer.
§ Mr. HowardI have no plans to introduce legislation. I believe that this is very much a practical problem to be resolved through voluntary arrangements within the trade which could provide a readier and more flexible means of resolving or avoiding disputes.
I therefore welcome the Brewers Society initiative in seeking to reach agreement with the National Union of Licensed Victuallers on a proposed code of practice which would ensure that licensees receive detailed statements of the quantities of beer delivered.