48. Sir F. HALLasked the Prime Minister whether he is aware of the increasing dissatisfaction amongst club members owing to the prohibition of the supply of alcoholic refreshment after 9 p.m. on Sundays; whether he is aware that the bulk of members do not assemble in working men's clubs before 8 p.m.; whether the Government will therefore extend the closing hour to 10 p.m., in case of need altering the opening hour from six to seven; and whether, following the promises that have repeatedly been given, he will undertake to abolish the Central Control Board (Liquor Traffic) without further delay?
§ Mr. BONAR LAWI would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the reply which I gave yesterday on this subject.
Sir F. HALLIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that in the answer which he gave to the hon. and gallant Member for Market Harborough (Major Sir K. Frazer) he referred to the answer which he gave on the previous day, and that in that answer he said that he had nothing to add to what had already been said, and in consequence of the feeling in the various clubs, can we get a definite reply as to whether we are going to have the hours increased or not?
§ Mr. BONAR LAWThe supplementary question of my hon. Friend leaves me a little in a maze, but I think that he is wrong as to the facts. The answer I gave yesterday was that the matter was put before the Liquor Control Board, who had promised to consider it.
Sir F. HALLDid not the right hon. Gentleman refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the answer which he gave yesterday on the subject, and in the reply given on the previous day, did he not say, "I can add nothing to what has already been said on the subject?"
§ Mr. BONAR LAWMy hon. and gallant Friend has quoted one reply, but I am not sure that he has quoted the whole of it. If he has, there was another reply.
§ Sir H. BRITTAINIs it to be understood that Members of this House must inform members of clubs in their constituencies that, as far as this present season is concerned, Members of the House of Commons are powerless to do anything in the matter?
§ Mr. BONAR LAWNo. Sir; that would be a great mistake.
§ Mr. G. TERRELLCould not the right hon. Gentleman hurry up the Control Board, so that we may have some definite information at an early date?
§ Mr. BONAR LAWI have no doubt whatever that the Liquor Control Board will consider it without any delay.
Sir F. HALLWill the right hon. Gentleman undertake, as suggested in the last part of the question, to do away with the Liquor Control Board altogether?
§ Sir H. BRITTAINMay we have an encouraging date?