§ MR. MACVEAGH (Down, S.)I beg to ask Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer whether his attention has been called to the resolution adopted by the Portsmouth Town Council on the 8th instant; and whether, in view of the increase in lunacy and crime in England consequent on the consumption of immature potable spirits, he will consider the advisability of prohibiting the clearing from bond of whisky, rum, or brandy, until it has matured for three years.
§ MR. AUSTEN CHAMBERLAINThe subject referred to by the hon. Member was carefully considered by a Select Committee of this House in 1890. They reported that it was not desirable to pass any compulsory law in regard to age. Any attempt to deal with the subject by legislation would be a matter of much difficulty, and I am not prepared to make proposals such as the hon. Member suggests.
§ MR. MACVEAGHIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that such regulations have been made in Canada and other countries? What would be the difficulty in applying them to this country?
§ MR. AUSTEN CHAMBERLAINI have no information on the point.