HC Deb 12 May 1915 vol 71 cc1656-7
Mr. DUNCAN MILLAR

May I ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will now inform the House precisely as to the constitution of the prescribed Government authority to be set up under the Defence of the Realm (Amendment—No. 3) Bill: whether a separate authority will be set up for Scotland, or whether representation will be given to Scotland on the Central Committee; whether local committees will be set up by the Central Committee in each district; and what powers will be given to these local committees to control the sale of liquor in each district?

Mr. LLOYD GEORGE

I am not in a position to state what the constitution of the Committee will be. I have generally indicated the lines upon which the Government propose to set it up, but as to the names I am not in a position to give them to the House. I can answer the question about Scotland. It is not proposed to set up a separate authority for Scotland, but it is proposed to have a Scottish representative, or representatives on the Board. As to the question of the relations between the Central Board and local committees, I would like to be advised by the Board of Control before coming to any decision.

Mr. MILLAR

Does the right hon. Gentleman not think that before the Third Reading the House is entitled to have full information as to the machinery to be set up under the Bill?

Mr. LLOYD GEORGE

Certainly. If my hon. Friend had been present at the Debate last night—

Mr. MILLAR

I was—

Mr. LLOYD GEORGE

He would know that I gave full information then. There was not a single question put about the constitution of the Committee that I did not answer. If my hon. Friend had asked me for more information, I would have given it to him. I cannot give the names of the Committee until the Bill is through.