51. Mr. J. JONESasked the Prime Minister whether he is aware that an Order was recently issued by the Central Control Board (Liquor Traffic) in the districts of Carlisle, petty sessional divisions of Cumberland Port, Maryport and Arredale-below, and other districts in the county of Cumberland, that no person shall, without the written authority of the Central Control Board (Liquor Traffic), sell intoxicating liquors in any premises, and this Order includes clubs; if he will state whether the powers of the Central Control Board (Liquor Traffic) are such as to allow them to overrun the ordinary Jaw of the country; and can he state when legislation will be introduced to deal with the matter?
§ The DEPUTY-MINISTER of MUNITIONS (Mr. Kellaway)I have been asked to reply to this question. I presume the hon. Member is referring to the Board's Order of 12th February last. I am advised that in issuing the Order the Board were acting under Article 3 of the Defence of the Realm (Liquor Control) Regulations, 1915. The Order of 12th February has no retrospective effect, but relates only to now licensed premises and new registered clubs in Carlisle and in those adjacent districts in Cumberland in which the Board have established a scheme of direct control of the liquor traffic. It has always been the Board's policy to make their Regulations applicable to clubs equally with licensed premises. With regard to the date of the introduction of the promised Bill, I would refer the hon. Member to the statements made by the President of the Board of Education in the Debate on 24th February and by the Prime Minister on Thursday last.