PM asked to act on short beer measures
The Campaign for Real Ale (Camra) has handed in a petition to the Prime Minister calling for an end to short beer measures in pubs.
The full pint petition was signed by 23,361 people but other trade organisations such as the British Beer and Pub Association and Federation of Licensed Victuallers Associations are known to be against the campaign.
They believe any such move to guarantee a 100% liquid pint would cost the industry more money and cause enforcement problems. Currently, customers have the right to ask for a top up, if they believe the head to be too large.
There are also concerns about how any legislation would affect customer choice on the size of head on their pint.
Camra believes that one in four pints is served short by over 5%, which costs the consumer £481m a year. It claims that 81% of adults would support new legislation to ensure a full pint is served.
During the 1997 General Election, Labour promised that it would introduce such legislation but it has never materialised — leaving drinkers short to the tune of almost £5bn over 11 years, according to Camra.
"We urge the Prime Minister to take notice of the 23,361 people who have signed this petition calling for an end to short beer measures," said Camra chief executive Mike Benner.
"It is unlawful for consumers to be short measured when buying petrol and it should be unlawful for consumers to be short measured when buying a pint of beer. The Prime Minister has a responsibility to stick to his party's promise that under Labour, drinkers will get what they pay for."
He added: "The Government takes over 80 pence in tax for every pint sold in a pub. It is about time that instead of simply taking money from the pockets of the pub-going public the Government gives something back by ensuring that consumers are served with a full pint and not 90% or 95% of a pint."
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