§ Mr. HardyTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many public houses and inns there were in England in 1981 and the last year for which figures are available; and if he expects the number to change significantly during the next two years.
§ Mr. Redwood[holding answer 21 June 1991]: The precise figures are not readily available. The number of full on-licensed premises—about 70 per cent. of which are public houses—in the United Kingdom in 1980 was 76,403. By 1989 there were 83,000 full on-licensed premises in the United Kingdom. I cannot predict whether this figure will change significantly in the next two years. I would not, however, expect it to reduce significantly as a result of the Beer Orders introduced following the Monopolies and Mergers Commission report. These require brewers to free from ties half the pubs they own in excess of 2,000; however pubs which are closed do not count towards the number to be freed.
§ Mr. HardyTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what recent discussions he has had with representatives of the brewing industry and the licensees of public houses with regard to the future of their trade.
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§ Mr. Redwood[holding answer 21 June 1991:] In recent months the Secretary of State and I have had meetings with the Major brewers. I met the National Licensed Victuallers' Association in January this year and the Secretary of State has also recently offered to meet the NLVA. In addition officials are in regular contact with a wide range of representatives of the brewing industry.