Mr. De la Bère:

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he will take steps to ensure more adequate supplies of beer for men harvesting in the months of August and September; and whether, in this connection, he will pay special attention to more adequate supplies being available in the country public houses for farm-workers, in order to enable them to carry out more efficiently the heavy work of harvesting?

Major Lloyd George:

I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave to the hon. and gallant Member for Epsom (Sir A. Southby) on 8th July. I have no reason to expect a shortage of beer in country districts in August and September, but I will certainly look into the matter.

Mr. De la Bère:

Is my hon. and gallant Friend aware that in the Vale of Evesham farm workers cannot get beer now, and will he look into this important matter?

Major Lloyd George:

I have said that I will look into it, but it has not been confined to the Vale of Evesham. The exceptionally hot weather as well as transport difficulties have contributed to the shortage.

In view of the number of teetotallers who will be working at harvest time, will it be possible for them to get cider?

Major Lloyd George:

I have yet to learn that cider is a teetotal drink.