§ 86. Mr. WINGasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he has considered the present practice regarding punishment for drunkenness; if he has considered the reiterated statements of the trade that they regard more severe punishment of drunkenness as desirable in the public interest; and, in view of the present national crisis, will he deal with the matter on an emergency basis either by legislation or administrative action?
§ The SECRETARY of STATE for the HOME DEPARTMENT (Mr. Herbert Samuel)I am aware that suggestions of more severe penalties for drunkenness have been made by various bodies and persons, including representatives of the 1893 licensed trade, and the same considerations would point to stronger measures against the offences of permitting drunkenness or selling intoxicating liquor to a drunken person. Whenever an Order has been issued by the Central Control Board the Home Office has issued circulars to magistrates and police in the areas covered by such Orders drawing attention to various aspects of the question and expressing the view that, at the present time particularly, "drunkenness is anything but a venial offence; it may amount to a serious crime against the community." I fully concur in this view, and I trust that magistrates will be alive to the special importance of the matter and that, having regard to the high rates of wages often received by persons who commit these offences, they will not hesitate to make the fullest use of the penalties provided by the existing law.