§ Lord Cocks of Hartcliffeasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they will encourage the Brewers' Society to make substantial cuts in the price of alcohol-free or low-alcohol beers to encourage their consumption.
§ The Minister of State, Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (Baroness Trumpington)The Government are keen to encourage the consumption of low- and alcohol-free beers, but see market forces as the most effective way of determining and restraining prices. They hope that recent legislative measures, following the recommendations of the Monopolies and Mergers Commission's inquiry into the supply of beer, will encourage greater competition in this sector.