All-Party Parliamentary Beer Group
The aim of this group is said to be: "to promote the wholesomeness and enjoyment of beer and the unique role of the pub in UK society; to increase understanding of the social, cultural and historic role of brewing and pubs in the UK, and their value to tourism; to broaden recognition of the contribution of brewing and pubs to employment and to the UK economy; to promote understanding of the social responsibility exercised by the brewing and pub industries; to support the UK's brewing industry worldwide, and to promote a positive future for beer and the pub" [1]
Recently the leader of the group MP John Grogan joined S&N and CAMRA in condeming Supermarkets for using beer as a loss leader in order to lure customers into their stores. Supermarkets are criticised for selling alcohol so cheaply that other shops simply can't compete. Campaigners, including the drinks industry and MPs, have branded the pricing structure irresponsible. CAMRA are concerned that the supermarkets are contributing to the waning popularity of British beer in a letter to the Competition Commission.
A survey by CAMRA revealed that in some supermarkets Fosters and Carling was available for the equivalent of just 54p a pint - or 16p before tax. CAMRA, members of parliament, trade press and pub industry chiefs are calling for urgent action to prevent promotions that serve to exacerbate the problem of binge drinking [2]
MP Officers
John Grogan Labour, Nigel Evans Conservative, Jane Griffiths Labour, Nigel Jones Liberal Democrats, Nick Hawkins Conservative, Bill Olner Labour,
BENEFITS RECEIVED BY GROUP FROM SOURCES OUTSIDE PARLIAMENT
- £4,100 each from, Interbrew UK, Pubmaster Group Ltd, Punch Taverns Group plc, Scottish & Newcastle plc, Enterprise Inns plc, Unique Pub Co Ltd, and Coors Brewers.
- £2,562 each from Anheuser-Busch Ltd, Carlsberg Tetley, and the Laurel Pub Co.
- £1,537 each from the Wolverhampton & Dudley Breweries and Greene King plc.
- £512 each from S A Brain, Hardys and Hansons, InnSpired Group, Shepherd Neame, Whitbread plc, Wadworths, Charles Wells Ltd, Daniel Thwaites plc, and Youngs.
- At the group's annual dinner on 9 July 2003 hospitality was provided by: Anheuser-Busch, Caledonian Brewery, Carlsberg-Tetley, Coors Brewers, Enterprise Inns, Northern Clubs' Federation Brewery, Greene King plc, Harvey & Sons, InnSpired Group, Interbrew UK, The Laurel Pub Co, Mitchells & Butlers, Pubmaster Group Ltd, Regent Inns, Scottish & Newcastle plc, Shepherd Neame, Unique Pub Co, Wolverhampton & Dudley Breweries, Youngs, Hook Norton Brewery, Fuller, Smith & Turner, Whitbread plc, Cobra Beers Ltd, St Austell Brewery, Charles Wells Ltd, S A Brain, The Punch Pub Co, Jennings Brothers plc, Adnams plc, Refresh UK plc, Diageo plc, Timothy Taylor & Co Ltd (all the above registered July 2003).
- £4,100 each from Mitchells & Butlers, Diageo plc.
- £1537.50 from The Spirit Group.
- £512.50 each from Fuller, Smith & Turner, Hall & Woodhouse, Northern Clubs' Federation Brewery (registered October 2003).
- £1,281 from SAB Miller plc (registered December 2003).
Notes
- [3] The Stationary Office House of Commons Register of All-party Groups Accessed April 2007
- [4] CAMRA Web Site 8/01/07 Action Needed as Supermarkets Sell Lager for Just Pennies More than Water Accessed April 2007
