HC Deb 23 June 1915 vol 72 cc1160-1
45. Mr. HOGGE

asked the Prime Minister whether the Board of Control is delegating its duties to provide counter-attractive and temperance agencies in isolated works to organisatoins such as the National People's Palaces Association, although Parliament placed this duty upon the Board of Control for wide areas?

Mr. LLOYD GEORGE

I understand that the Central Control Board (Liquor Traffic) are disposed to encourage institutions, such as the National People's Palaces Association, to supply food and refreshments where suitable arrangements can be made, but they have not delegated their powers in the manner suggested by my hon. Friend.

Mr. HOGGE

Is my right hon. Friend aware that the prospectus of the National People's Palaces Association states that the association has now, at the request of His Majesty's Government's Central Control Board, established those canteens and in the same prospectus are inviting people to subscribe capital bearing a 6 per cent. preference dividend?

Mr. LLOYD GEORGE

I do not know that that is inconsistent with what I said. The Central Control Board have not delegated any of their powers, but they are using this association for the purpose of establishing refreshment houses.

Mr. HOGGE

Do I understand my right hon. Friend to mean that the Central Control Board are not doing the work Parliament asked them to do and that they are requesting associations which are making profit out of it to do it for them?

Mr. LLOYD GEORGE

The Central Control Board can either set up establishments themselves or can utilise other establishments. They have absolute discretion in that respect.

Mr. HOGGE

May I ask why in that case the Government are not offering the opportunity of tendering for temperance refreshments in those works to the people in the localities, who could do it infinitely better than an association which has not yet got the capital to do it?

Mr. LLOYD GEORGE

I am perfectly certain if any responsible persons in the locality offered to do what my hon. Friend suggests, the Central Control Board would consider their proposal and be very glad to obtain their assistance.