§ Mr. CARLILEasked the Lord Advocate whether the average daily number of prisoners in custody in Scotland in 1908 was greater than during any previous year since 1878; whether the drink traffic in Scotland is conducted under much more restrictive legislation than in any other part of the United Kingdom; and whether the Government will therefore decline to give facilities to the Temperance (Scotland) Bill?
§ Mr. UREThe answer to the first two portions of the question is in the affirmative; the answer to the concluding portion is in the negative.
§ Mr. CARLILEMay I ask whether, since restrictive legislation seems to lead to an increase of crime, the Government will reconsider their decision in regard to the Bill?
§ Mr. KILBRIDEWill the right hon. Gentleman say what the increase in the population has been between 1878 and 1908?
§ Mr. PAGE CROFTMay I ask the Lord Advocate whether, in view of the fact that there has been a great betrayal of Ireland, and that the Budget is now to be passed with the Licensing Clauses, this Bill has become unnecessary?
§ Mr. WHYTEMay I ask the Lord Advocate whether he is aware that in the past year, which is not included in the question, the state of affairs was very different?