ALLOW me to respond on behalf of the pubs and beer industry to the one-sided and ambiguous comments by one of our MPs in your 'Cheers' column (LET, July 27), concerning the issue of a full pint of beer.

Our association, which represents brewers and multiple pub-owning companies across the North West and North Wales, is wholly supportive of any government move to crack down on short measures. Such practice is never condoned and, indeed, we have worked with a number of trading standard agencies whenever problems have been highlighted.

An important issue in the debate over 'the full pint' is whether or not the head is an integral part of the drink. We believe it is (most beer drinkers would complain bitterly if it was absent) but, as a sensible guildeline, the Brewers and Licensed Retailers' Association says that it should never be more than five per cent of the total content. As an additional safeguard, any customer who thinks this is too large a head will be happily served a top-up.

The Government's consultation paper, which has our full support, is looking at giving this voluntary code legal status. Another option being considered is the universal use of oversized lined glasses. A number of pubs already use these. However, they often prove to be unpopular with customers who, perhaps being used to the visual delight of a brimful, often perceive that they are being served a short measure! A well-known national pub operator recently withdrew its line glasses because of the high number of such complaints.

Furthermore, dispensing beer to a precise line can often cause problems for staff, particularly in a busy environment. Electrically dispensed measures overcome this, but again they are anathema to many pub-goers. Ask any member of CAMRA!

In your article, Hyndburn MP Greg Pope says that customers are being sold short. However, he knowledges that people in the North West like a head on their beer and he hopes pubs will not employ over-sized lined glasses.

Mr Pope is, therefore, in agreement that the head is part of the pint.

He is also disparaging about electric pumps. It might be more constructive if he could explain exactly what he does want the industry to do! Importantly, how can he substantiate his claim that "drinkers have been sold short for so long?"

Finally, it should be remembered the legislation already exists to tackle short measures. If any of your readers feel they are not getting what they are paying for in any of our region's pubs, then they should report the matter to their local trading standards office, which has all necessary powers to prosecute offenders.

LEE LE CLERCQ, Secretary, North West Brewers' and Licensed Retailers' Association.

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