HC Deb 27 June 1916 vol 83 cc718-21
73. Mr. HOGGE

asked the Minister of Munitions how the licences in Annan stand with regard to the operation of the Local Veto Act in Scotland; and whether the Board of Control is to take out what has been paid for them prior to the operation of that Act, or is the scheme a temporary one?

The MINISTER of MUNITIONS (Mr. Lloyd George)

It does not appear to me that the operation of the Local Veto Act in Scotland will be prejudiced by the action taken by the Central Control Board at Annan.

Mr. HOGGE

Does that mean that the licences in Annan will be subject to the veto of the people in 1921?

Mr. LLOYD GEORGE

Yes, I think that is so.

Mr. WING

Is it a fact that the licences in Annan are free from the inspection of the police and are outside the power of the licensing authority?

Mr. SPEAKER

The hon. Member must give notice of that question.

74. Mr. HOGGE

asked the Minister of Munitions whether the Control Board has achieved any reduction in the consumption of alcohol; whether they have instituted any counter-attractions; and, if so, where and of what nature?

Mr. LLOYD GEORGE

If my hon. Friend will refer to the recently published Second Report of the Control Board (Cd. 8243) he will find a full account of the work of the Board, both upon its restrictive and upon its constructive side.

Mr. HOGGE

Has my right hon. Friend read that himself and does he know that it does not deal with the question of the restriction of consumption?

75. Mr. HOGGE

asked the Minister of Munitions what is the nature of the agreement made by the Board of Control at Carlisle; whether the arrangements with the breweries include their tied houses outside the area; what is the nature of the Redemption Scheme, or whether this department is one of a Permanent Board?

Mr. LLOYD GEORGE

The Control Board have decided to acquire the licensed trade interest, including the breweries, in the city of Carlisle and the immediate neighbourhood. The precise extent of the area and other details are now under consideration. As regards the last part of the question, I must refer the hon. Member to the Act and Regulations under which the Control Board was constituted, namely, the Defence of the Realm (Amendment) (No. 3) Act, 1915, and the Defence of the Realm (Liquor Control) Regulations, 1915.

Mr. HOGGE

Can my right hon. Friend say whether the tied houses belonging to the brewers which will be even outside the area of consideration will be dealt with in the Carlisle experiment?

Mr. LLOYD GEORGE

I should like to have notice of that question.

Sir G. YOUNGER

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether he has received any estimate of the cost of this operation?

Mr. LLOYD GEORGE

Yes, I have received an estimate.

Sir G. YOUNGER

Will the right hon. Gentleman state anything like the sum?

Mr. LLOYD GEORGE

That would certainly be very undesirable before the valuation.

Mr. G. FABER

Will the arrangement continue after the War?

Mr. LLOYD GEORGE

I hope so.

76. Colonel GRETTON

asked the Minister of Munitions when the Report of the Treasury Advisory Committee on certain proposals for the State purchase of the licensed liquor trade, the issue of which as a Parliamentary Paper was promised on 6th April last, will be published?

Mr. LLOYD GEORGE

I understand that the Treasury are now taking steps to issue the Report as a Parliamentary Paper.

Mr. GRETTON

May I ask what that answer means? Will it be issued within a few days or week?

Mr. LLOYD GEORGE

In about a week's time.

77. Mr. PETO

asked the Minister of Munitions the result of the inquiry which has been held into the working of the orders of the Central Control Board for the County of Wilts; whether at some of the principal towns no evidence* has been called for from anyone but the police; and whether he has received any information as to how the Order affects home-trade brewers and the agricultural population generally?

Mr. LLOYD GEORGE

I am informed that as the result of an inquiry by one of their own officers into the operation of the Order for the Southern Military and Transport Area (including the county of Wilts), in the course of which large numbers, of persons in responsible and representative positions were interviewed, in addition to the police, the Control Board have come to the conclusion that the Order is working satisfactorily and that the particular complaints which have been made regarding it cannot be met without interfering with the main object of the Order.