Sir F. HALLasked the Prime Minister whether intoxicating liquors can now be old in residential clubs up to 11 p.m.; whether working men's clubs are precluded from the sale of same after 9.30 p.m.; and, if so, whether, in view of the hardship that this differentiation involves he will at once take the necessary steps to permit the same regulations for sale up till 11 p.m. to be extended to the working men's clubs?
§ Mr. BONAR LAWThe answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative; the second part in the negative. The rest of the question does not therefore arise.
Sir F. HALLIs my right hon. Friend aware that an enormous number of small clubs particularly are asking for this legislation, and is no attention to be given to the demands that they put forward?
§ Mr. BONAR LAWI do not think my hon. and gallant Friend has grasped my answer. It is that there is no preference between one club and another.
Sir F. HALLThen will no power be given to these clubs in regard to the purchase of liquor up to eleven o'clock?
§ Mr. BONAR LAWIf my hon. and gallant Friend will look at the answer he will see that that question is answered.
§ Mr. G. TERRELLCould my right hon. Friend see his way to take the sense of the Houston this question?
§ Mr. BONAR LAWI do not know what the question is.
Colonel C. LOWTHERIs there any reason why these restrictions, so evidently necessary during the War, should be continued to-day; and are the Government in a position to state when the whole of this grandmotherly legislation will be abolished?
§ Mr. BONAR LAWI am afraid not.
§ Mr. DEVLINWill the right hon. Gentleman say whether the sense of the House will be taken on this question and a Division forced, whether the House wants it or not?