asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he will state the increased cost of production to distillers per ten-glass bottle of whiskey over the cost of production prior to the recent imposition of a twopence per glass increase by the retail licensed trade.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Whiskey Production Costs.
I do not consider it necessary to control the prices of alcoholic liquors other than beer, stout and porter. Consequently I do not propose to investigate the causes of the recent increase in the price of whiskey and I am accordingly unable to furnish the information requested by the Deputy.
Will the Parliamentary Secretary state if, in the normal case of an increase in the cost of production of a commodity, any check is kept on that increase by the Government to make sure that, when the commodity reaches the public, twice that increase will not be imposed on the consumers which, as far as everybody can see, seems to be the position in most cases of an increase in the cost of production?
A check is kept on any increase on the lines suggested by the Deputy or taking these factors into consideration but whiskey is not regarded as an essential commodity.
May I take it from the reply given by the Parliamentary Secretary that the Minister was not consulted and did not approve of the recent increase in the retail price of whiskey?
Whiskey is not controlled so consultation was not necessary and no approval was required.
The big pint is the only thing that matters to this Government.
Will the Parliamentary Secretary now say whether he stated in this House a year ago that the price of whiskey was increased in November, 1949, because the distillers had increased the price of whiskey and will he now state that that statement was incorrect?
That is a separate question.
I would require notice of that question.