Sales were hindered again during WW2 when production was banned so that barley could be used for food. However, help came from Winston Churchill who in 1944 stated ' On no account reduce the amount of barley for whisky. This takes years to mature, and is an invaluable export and dollar producer. Having regard to all our other difficulties about exports, it would be most improvident not to preserve this characteristic British element of ascendancy". barley was rationed and given to re-opening distilleries. In the post war years the new Government kept tight control of whisky sales. Not until the end of the 50's did the whisky industry finally shake free of the restrictions and begin to produce whisky freely. Demand became so high that new distilleries were planned and old ones rebuilt.