46. Mr. MacCALLUM SCOTTasked the Prime Minister whether he has received a copy of a resolution passed at a conference of the official representatives of the larger burghs in Scotland, urging the prohibition of the sale of ardent spirits during the War and the subsequent period of demobilisation; whether he has been asked to receive a deputation in support of the resolution; and whether he proposes to take any action to satisfy himself as to the state of public opinion in Scotland on this subject?
§ 54. Mr. FINNEYasked the Prime Minister whether his attention has been called to a resolution of the quarterly meeting of the fourteen Wesleyan churches of the Newcastle-under-Lyme circuit urging their conviction that at this crisis in national affairs, in view of the special needs of the nation with respect to the supply of food and the successful conduct of the War, it is advisable that the Government should act at once and prohibit the manufacture and sale of intoxicating liquors until the end of the War and for a period of six months afterwards; and whether he can indicate the intentions of the Government in respect to the same?
§ Mr. BONAR LAWThe attention of the Prime Minister has been drawn to the resolutions in question, and they will have his consideration.
Mr. MacCALLUM SCOTTAre any steps being taken by the Government to ascertain the nature of public opinion universally held in Scotland on this subject?
§ Mr. BONAR LAWYes, we have taken steps, but it is very difficult to ascertain the universal public opinion in Scotland.