§ 27. Mr. FINNEYasked the Prime Minister whether his attention has been called to a resolution passed by quarterly meeting of the Burslem and District Cooperative Society, Stoke-on-Trent, representing 15,000 members, protesting against the wastage of sugar and other valuable foodstuffs in a time of threatened scarcity of food, caused by the manufacture of alcoholic liquor and high-priced confectionery, and urging the Government to enforce entire prohibition of the sale of alcoholic liquor and high-priced confectionery during the War, in order to increase to the fullest extent the food supplies of the people, and assuring the Government of its loyal support in any such measure; and whether he can indicate the Government's intentions respecting the same?
Captain BATHURSTI have been asked to reply. The attention of the Government has been called to the resolution in question. The sale of alcoholic liquors and confectionery has been so considerably restricted by the Intoxicating Liquor (Output and Delivery) Order, 1917, the Sugar (Confectionery) Order, 1917, and the Cake and Pastry Order, 1917, that it has not been considered necessary to impose any further restrictions up to the present. The situation, however, is naturally being kept under close observation, and any further measures that may be necessary will be taken.
§ Mr. OUTHWAITEDoes the hon. and gallant Gentleman expect the men of the Potteries to allow their families to go hungry as long as any food is being wasted in the manufacture of spirits and beer?