§ Mr. David EvansTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when he intends to introduce section 43 of the Weights and Measures Act 1985 relating to beer or cider and foam; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. LeighFollowing my Department's consultation with interested parties, I have today made a commencement order which provides that section 43 of the Weights and Measures Act 1985 will come into force on 1 April 1994.
The lengthy implementation period will give publicans plenty of time to prepare and ensure that compliance costs are kept to a minimum. This law does not outlaw froth, but I strongly believe that consumers should get what they pay for, if a pint is ordered a pint of liquid beer is what they should get.
I have just decided that brim-measure glasses should not be prohibited. Licensees will therefore still be able to use these glasses as long as they serve a full liquid pint of beer or cider.