HC Deb 10 April 1896 vol 39 cc679-80
MR. W. ALLEN

asked the First Lord of the Treasury whether he could state the name of the 24th Commissioner of the Royal Commission on the Liquor Traffic.

THE FIRST LORD OF THE TREASURY

Yes, Sir. The 24th Commissioner will be Lord de Vesci.

MR. PATRICK O'BRIEN

asked whether the right hon. Gentleman was aware that the trade in Ireland protested against the names representing their trade on the Commission, and whether, therefore, he would either replace some of the present names or add other names.

THE FIRST LORD OF THE TREASURY

It would be impossible to add other members without destroying the balance of the Commission, or so greatly increasing its numbers as to make it an unworkable body. Nor is it possible to change the names of gentlemen who have agreed to serve, and who have been appointed by the Crown.

MR. T. M. HEALY (Louth, N.)

pointed out that the decision in "Sharp v. Wakefield" did not apply to Ireland, and that the licensing law was entirely different from that of England, and asked whether the Government would not appoint someone on the Commission who would fairly represent the views of the licensing interest in Ireland, and who would be acquainted with the state of the existing law as distinct from the law in England.

THE FIRST LORD OF THE TREASURY

I have endeavoured as far as I can to meet the views of all sections of opinion. It must be remembered that the Commission consists of 24 persons. Of those only eight can represent the trade in England, Scotland, and Ireland, a trade of divers branches carried on in divers localities. It is quite impossible that every branch in every locality should be as fully represented as I should in other circumstances have desired to see it. If the hon. and learned Member will look at the eight names representing the trade in every part of the United Kingdom, he will see that every effort has been made by the Government to represent the views which they entertain.

MR. T. M. HEALY

said the hon. member for South Tyrone would be better than Lord de Vesci, because he knew the subject.

THE FIRST LORD OF THE TREASURY

Possibly, but Lord de Vesci is not one of those who represents the trade.

MR. T. M. HEALY

And he is absolutely ignorant of the subject.