§ 46 and 49. Mr. HASLAMasked the Prime Minister (1) in case of further restrictions being made with regard to the sale of intoxicants, will he provide for such compensation to the industries affected as will enable proprietors of public-houses where desirable to keep their premises open to the public for purposes of recreation and refreshment; and will he state whether the Government has come to a decision as to the desirability or otherwise of State purchase; and (2) whether he is aware of the vote recently taken at Govan, when the large majority of workmen voted in favour of the total prohibition of the sale of spirits and beer during war-time, and, in view of the unanimous declaration of the employers and managers of shipbuilding yards and munition works in that neighbourhood in its favour, will he take such steps as may be necessary to reduce the quantity of spirits available for consumption in the same proportion as the reduction in the production of beer, etc.; and will he consider the desirability of affording compensation to persons employed in the licensed trade until such persons are able to obtain employment in national or other service, and to others dependent upon such industries, seeing that the sooner termination of the War by a few weeks would pay for such compensation and also for loss of revenue incurred by such restrictions?
§ The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER (Mr. Bonar Law)All I can say is that the whole question is receiving the consideration of the Government.
§ Sir FRANCIS LOWEWill any further restriction of the output of beer be made by Bill or by Order?
§ Mr. BONAR LAWIt will be done today or to-morrow under the Order of the Food Controller.
§ Mr. BOOTHAre we to understand that the position of the tenants or publicans who are giving service will be considered at the same time as the position of the wealthy brewers?
§ Mr. BONAR LAWMost certainly; whatever consideration is given to the one will be given to the other.
§ Sir F. LOWEWill there be an opportunity of discussing this further restriction as on the first occasion, when it was done by Bill?
§ Mr. BONAR LAWIn the Prime Minister's statement it was made quite plain that the matter would be carried out at once.
§ Mr. PRINGLEHave the Government in mind any special considerations which differentiate this trade from any other trade?
§ Mr. BONAR LAWI can add nothing to the general answer I have given.
§ Mr. W. THORNECan the right hon. Gentleman give any figures in regard to question No. 49?
§ Mr. BONAR LAWI have not got the figures.
§ 53. Mr. MILLARasked the Prime Minister whether, with a View to ascertaining the desire of the Scottish people for prohibition of the sale of liquor during the War, and for the period of demobilisation after the War, he will consent to a Return being obtained of the number of petitions and resolutions, etc., received from Scotland since the formation of the present Government by the Prime Minister and other members of the Government, and by the Central Control Board (Liquor Traffic), and also of the number of petitions presented to the House of Commons praying for the prohibition of the sale of liquors during the War?
§ Mr. BONAR LAWThe Government, after full consideration, are not prepared to adopt the suggestion of my hon. Friend.
§ Mr. MILLARMay I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether, in view of the expressed desire to ascertain the opinion of Scotland, the conference was not a very simple method of ascertaining the view of the people of Scotland?
§ Mr. BONAR LAWIt was a simple method of ascertaining the view of those who signed, but it was not a simple method of definitely ascertaining the opinion of the country.
§ Mr. MILLARAre not resolutions from public bodies received in this House?
§ Mr. BONAR LAWYes; but I said that I did not think that they could be taken as a definite indication of the opinion of Scotland.
§ Mr. T. M. HEALYIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that the feeling of non-smokers is that tobacco is not good?
Mr. DUNDAS WHITEWhat would the right hon. Gentleman regard as an effective expression of opinion in Scotland?
§ 63. Mr. CONDONasked the President of the Board of Trade whether all classes of beer are included in the restrictions as to output; and, if not, will he say what classes of beer are exempt; whether Bass's pale ale is at present exempt from any restrictions; and, if so, will he state for what reason?
Mr. ROBERTSThe existing restrictions as to output apply to all classes of beer brewed by a brewer for sale, and therefore include the beer referred to in the last part of the question.