Bring beer prices down

A few weeks ago a government adviser expressed the view that the only way to stop drunken louts causing trouble in our streets and hospitals was to increase the price of beer and spirits.

He never mentioned the fact that this would seriously affect the millions of responsible people who enjoy a quiet night out with their friends, or those who work within the industry.

We then had our beloved Gordon Brown holding talks with brewery officials about the cheap booze in supermarkets, and I began to feel a little bit nervous.

The Express & Star then told us that at least 100 pubs across the region were closing down due to lack of management and reading between the lines I assumed that falling sales may be having some effect on licensee's wages.

And the grand solution to these factors was for the industry to announce that beer prices would increase to £4 per pint and prices in supermarkets would also be increased.

At this stage I began to hear Gordon Brown telling those brewery chiefs that it would seriously harm the government if duty was increased directly, "so you lot find the excuses because heaven knows you've had plenty of practice in the past".

"No problem," they say. "We'll blame the farmers for increasing the price of barley and hops, because now they grow bio-fuel instead."

The truth is if they had a fair price for the barley and hops in the first place, the farmers would have no reason to change.

As for the theft of beer casks, we are told the insurance companies have refused to pay out because these were not securely stored.

I have said many times that volume sales are the only way to maintain profits, but the fact is that even present prices have stopped thousands enjoying their trip to the pub, and to suggest £4 a pint is absolute madness.

Perhaps the MD of Marston's should learn from Wednesfield Conservative Club committee's decision to price their beer at £1.58 per pint, resulting in increased sales and a full membership.

D Bodley,

Manor House Park, Bilbrook.