HC Deb 25 June 1917 vol 95 cc21-2
45. Mr. J. M. HENDERSON

asked the Prime Minister whether he will lay upon the Table the terms of the reference to the Commissioners to be appointed for England and Wales, Ireland and Scotland in relation to the proposed State purchase of the liquor traffic and will he afford the House an opportunity of discussing the said terms?

Mr. BONAR LAW

The terms of reference will be laid upon the Table, but, as I have already stated, no action will be taken by the Government until the Committees have reported and the subject has been discussed in the House.

Mr. HENDERSON

Are we, then, finally to understand that this Committee will not be in any way empowered and that the House will not be committed to this operation without its being discussed here?

Mr. BONAR LAW

I have stated quite clearly that the House will not be committed in any way until they have had an opportunity of discussing it.

Mr. LEIF JONES

May we take it that nothing whatever will be done to prejudice the position of the House by the Committee until the House has considered the matter?

Mr. BONAR LAW

I do not know exactly what my right hon. Friend means. The Committee may prejudice the, Government in favour, and, if that prejudices the House, then the House will be prejudiced.

Mr. JONES

What I want to know is whether the rights of the House to accept or refuse any schemes put forward will not be in any way prejudiced before the House has considered them?

Mr. CHANCELLOR

Will anything be done beyond inquiry and report?

Mr. BONAR LAW

That is all that is involved in the appointment of this Committee, but I do not wish it to be understood it may not be necessary to take some form of control before, but, if so, it will not be done until the House has had an opportunity of discussing it.

Mr. DEVLIN

Is not everyone opposed to control? There is a difference of opinion about State purchase, but is not everyone opposed to control?

Mr. D. MILLAR

Can the right hon. Gentleman tell us when the terms of reference will be laid on the Table?

Mr. BONAR LAW

Almost immediately.

Mr. MILLAR

This week?

Mr. BONAR LAW

Yes.

Sir FRANCIS LOWE

rose—

Mr. SPEAKER

Whenever this topic comes up there is a debate.