§ 45. Mr. G. FABERasked the Prime Minister whether this House will be consulted before the Government decides to assume the control of the liquor trade for the period of the War; and whether the Government has already determined to appoint Commissioners For England, Scotland, and Ireland, respectively, to settle the terms of acquisition of the liquor trade by the State, either before or after the termination of the War?
§ 64 and 65. Mr. STANTONasked the Prime Minister (1) if any proposals for the State purchase of the liquor traffic have been formulated by the Government; whether, before any proposals are submitted to the House, he will give full consideration to the interests of the tenants of tied houses; (2) whether, before formulating any concrete proposals for the State purchase of the liquor traffic, he will consent to receive a deputation representing the tenants of tied houses in order that the interests of such tenants may receive equitable consideration?
§ Mr. BONAR LAWI cannot add anything to previous answers on this subject beyond saying that representatives of the trade are being interviewed by the Government and that the interests of these referred to in the questions will be fully considered.
§ Sir T. WALTERSWill the Government refrain from committing the House to the purchase until they have consulted the House, and will that consultation take place with the unfettered judgment of the House?
§ Mr. BONAR LAWI have already stated that the subject will not be settled until the House has had an opportunity of considering it, but it must be dealt with and considered by the Government first.
§ Mr. BONAR LAWThe Government has decided to appoint Commissioners.
Mr. H. SAMUELMay we assume that nothing will be done by the Government which will involve the payment of public money before the House has had an opportunity of stating its views?
§ Mr. BONAR LAWYes, I think I can give that undertaking—of course, with this modification, that even now, under existing conditions, something is being done with it and we do not interfere with that.
§ Mr. J. M. HENDERSONDoes the appointment of Commissioners indicate, or will it be held to indicate, that the Government has made up its mind to purchase without the authority of the House?
§ Mr. BONAR LAWIt will certainly mean that the Government wishes this aspect to be considered, and it may also mean, what I believe to be the fact, that the Government is inclined to think that is the best course.
§ Mr. P. A. HARRISDoes the right hon. Gentleman think the House of Commons has more right to be consulted than even the trade?
§ Mr. BONAR LAWMost certainly, but the consultation is of a different kind. In consulting the trade we consult it to ascertain facts.
§ Mr. FABERIf the Government has decided to appoint Commissioners, has it not really definitely made up its mind to purchase the trade?
§ Mr. BONAR LAWNo; I am not prepared to say that. I have already said the Government is considering the matter. Once before we made up our minds and it was not carried out, and the 1124 same thing may happen again. It is quite clear that the Government cannot take any steps without taking the sense of the House.
§ Sir J. D. REESrose—
§ Mr. SPEAKERThe hon. Gentleman; should put down any further questions.