§ Mr. WILLIAM RUTHERFORDI beg to ask Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that, in respect of each licensed house in England and Wales, the number of people actually in employment is on the average between three and four; whether the closing of approximately 30,000 licensed houses would throw out of employment about 100,000 people; whether he would be prepared to take any, and, if so, what, steps to obviate the distress likely to be caused thereby.
§ * MR. ASQUITHAs regards the first and second parts of the Question, I can only say that no certain information is available. The Census figures, for several reasons too long to detail, do not enable the average referred to by the hon. Member to be worked out with any approach to accuracy; so for as they go, they suggest a lower average number of employees than that which he mentions. If, as the result of the Bill now before the House, the expenditure on drink is lessened, the probable result will be that more money will be spent in other and more productive ways; and that the surplus employees, whose displacement under the scheme proposed would be gradual, will be absorbed in other occupations.
§ * MR. LEIF JONES (Westmoreland, Appleby)May I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether the capital at present locked up in these 30,000 licences would 902 not be likely to employ more people if invested in almost any other trade?
§ [No Answer was returned.]