§ 17. Mr. DUNCAN MILLARasked the Home Secretary if he will issue a Return showing the various districts within the United Kingdom in which the provisions of the Intoxicating Liquor (Temporary Restriction) Act, 1914, have been put into operation, giving in each case the hours during which the sale of liquor has been prohibited under Section 1 of the Act?
§ Mr. McKENNAAs regards England and Wales, I obtained information at the beginning of the month, which showed that in 259 out of the 1,000 licensing districts Orders had been made under the Act suspending the sale, supply or consumption of intoxicating liquor. In ninety-six cases the suspension is from 10.0 p.m., in 156 cases from 9.0 p.m., and in seven cases from 8.0 p.m. In the case of fifty of the Orders the suspension extended also to the morning hours from 6 to 8, in some cases 9.0. As regards Scotland or Ireland, I must refer my hon. Friend to my right hon. Friends the Secretary for Scotland and the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant. I do not think that a return of the Orders in detail would be very useful at the present moment, as the action taken under the Act is still very far from complete. I should prefer to postpone it for a time.
§ 52. Sir ARCHIBALD WILLIAMSONasked the Prime Minister whether he has received a memorial from prominent citizens of Liverpool pointing out the inadequacy of the Intoxicating Liquors (Temporary Restriction) Act and the urgent need of curtailing facilities for the sale of drink at this time; and whether he will consult the Leader of the Opposition with a view to the passage of an agreed amending Bill?
§ The PRIME MINISTER (Mr. Asquith)The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. As regards the latter part, if an agreed Bill can be introduced, the Government will be glad to proceed with it; but, in the absence of agreement, I fear I cannot promise legislation.