RAPID growth in British sales of Murphy stout has come to an end, indicated the Whitbread beer combine responsible for brewing and distributing the Irish stout in the British market. Although Murphy has held on to its 14 per cent share of the British stout market, further growth in sales has been restricted by competition from the Caffrey's and Kilkenny stout/ale hybrids in the Irish beer sector of the market. Whitbread's 1996-97 profits before exceptional items and tax, increased 12 per cent to £316 million on turnover up 10 per cent to £3.03 billion.