MR. HENLEYasked the Under Secretary of State for the Colonies, Whether he can state to the House what are the various Laws relating to restrictions upon the sale of intoxicating liquors in the principal British Colonies, and what has been the operation of such Laws?
§ MR. KNATCHBULL-HUGESSENSir, when the right hon. Gentleman asked me privately whether I could give him information as to the state of the law in our principal colonies with respect to restrictions upon the sale of intoxicating liquors I replied at once in the affirmative. It occurred to me, however, that the value of this information would be increased if I could also show what had been the previous state of the law, and how any changes in the direction of restriction or otherwise had been found to work. I therefore obtained the consent of my noble Friend at the head of the Colonial Department to the preparation of a Circular to the Governors of those colonies, asking for such information. I have already drawn and directed the dispatch of these circulars, and as soon as the replies have been received they shall be laid before Parliament.