HC Deb 20 December 1915 vol 77 cc15-7
32. Sir J. D. REES

asked the Minister of Munitions whether he is aware that a man was fined 9s. for treating his wife by the magistrates at Bristol, who held that, if they made an exception in favour of wives, licensees would have to satisfy themselves as to the claim of women treated to be wives of the treater; and whether steps will be taken to appeal on behalf of the Crown or to amend the law?

33. Mr. W. THORNE

asked the Minister of Munitions if he is aware that a man at Bristol on Wednesday was fined 9s. for treating his wife with liquor; if he is aware that there is general resentment in consequence of a man not being able to treat his wife; and if he will advise the Central Control Board (Liquor Traffic) to remove the restrictions?

Dr. ADDISON

My right hon. Friend's attention has not been officially called to the case mentioned by the hon. Member. I may say, however, that the practical difficulties of making an exception to the No-Treating Order in the case of a specified relationship are obvious, and it is thought that cases in which undue advantage would be taken of any such exception would expose publicans to grave risk and difficulty. If the hon. Member can suggest a method by which publicans can assure themselves of the relationship of two persons to each other, my right hon. Friend will ask the Control Board to consider this suggestion.

Mr. THORNE

May I ask the hon. Gentleman if he thinks that the fact of a man being in a position to treat his wife will retard the output of munitions in any way?

Dr. ADDISON

No, I do not think so at all, but that is quite a different question from making an Order and having machinery to carry it out.

36. Mr. AGG-GARDNER

asked the Minister of Munitions if he will give the grounds on which the Central Control Board has refused to relieve persons residing within provincial areas from the trouble and expense imposed by the pro visions of Article 4 (e), which compels them to pay for alcoholic beverages purchased from wholesale firms by payment in advance, or by postal order, or by special messenger, while these provisions have been suspended in the London area?

Dr. ADDISON

The Board informs me that the temporary suspension of the provisions of Article 4, paragraph (e) of their Order for the London area was granted as being, in their opinion, a reasonable concession in view of the special circumstances of that area. The same considerations did not appear to apply in respect of provincial areas, in which a corresponding paragraph has now been in operation for several weeks. The suspension which was granted for the London area was limited to a period which ends on the 31st instant.

37. Mr. AGG-GARDNER

asked the Minister of Munitions whether, in view of the promises given when the appointment of the Central Control Board was under consideration that the operation of the Board should be confined to munition areas, and in consultation and agreement with local authorities, he will instruct the Board to regulate its proceedings in con formity with these promises?

Dr. ADDISON

So far as I am aware, the promises which were given in Debate have been observed in the past, and there is certainly no question of any departure from them.

Mr. AGG-GARDNER

Will there be an opportunity of discussing the Central Control Board's Regulations?

Dr. ADDISON

That question should be addressed to the Prime Minister.

38. Sir H. CRAIK

asked whether an extension of the hours for the sale of alcoholic liquors has been granted to clubs in the Woolwich district, thus differentiating betwen the clubs and licensed public-houses?

Dr. ADDISON

No, Sir. Clubs and public-houses are treated on precisely the same footing, special exemptions in rare cases being considered upon a careful review of the particular circumstances which affect the locality.

Sir H. CRAIK

Do the special exemptions apply to clubs only, or to public-houses as well?

Dr. ADDISON

They relate sometimes to clubs and sometimes to public-houses, and sometimes to both.