§ 40. Mr. RUPERT GWYNNEasked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the strong feeling of dissatisfaction in working men's clubs at the alteration of the hours during which intoxicants can be sold in clubs on Sunday evenings, consequent on the reversion to normal time, he will state whether he has yet been able to approach the Central Liquor Control Board with a view to continuing the licensing hours from 7 to 10 p.m.?
§ 70. Mr. RAPERasked the Prime Minister if he has now come to a decision regarding deferring the enforcement of the new Sunday Order respecting the sale of alcohol in clubs until the Government has introduced the proposed legislation dealing with this subject?
§ 71. Mr. W. THORNEasked the Prime Minister whether the question as to Sunday hours of opening of licensed premises has been considered by the Government; and, if so, will he state the result?
§ The PRESIDENT of the BOARD of EDUCATION (Mr. Herbert Fisher)The Prime Minister has asked me to answer these questions. These questions, and some of those previously put on the subject, appear to be partly based on a misapprehension, namely, that the Central Control Board have made a new Order altering the Sunday evening hours. This is not the case. The Sunday evening closing hour under the Orders which have been in force for the last 4 or 5 years has been 9 p.m., except that it was altered temporarily and during the period of summer time only to 10 p.m. in response to the demand which was made a few months ago for that particular temporary alteration. The Order making the alteration automatically lapsed with the end of summer time.
§ Mr. GWYNNEIs it not a fact that the Prime Minister on Monday last, knowing the facts, stated that he would approach the Control Board and see whether something could not be done?
§ The PRIME MINISTERI have been SO greatly engaged that I could not attend to the matter, and I, therefore, asked my right hon. Friend (Mr. Fisher) to do so. I think I gave a promise on Monday last that I would consult a number of Members of this House who seemed to be taking a 1932 special interest in the subject, and I believe I accepted a suggestion put forward by an hon. Member below the Gangway that a Committee of these Members should be formed to look into the matter. I believe a Committee is being formed, and I hope as soon as possible recommendations on the subject will be made to the Government.
§ Mr. RAFFANOn the composition of that Committee will the right hon. Gentleman consider not only those who made the preliminary suggestions, but those desirous of representing other views?
§ The PRIME MINISTERYes, certainly; that is perfectly fair. I think it is essential in a Committee of this character that all views should be represented; otherwise it would be a one-sided report.
§ Viscountess ASTORConsidering the deep interest women have in this subject of drink, may I ask that I, as the only woman here, may be put on?
§ Mr. W. THORNEI think the question put in the House the other day was whether the Government could not possibly advise the present hours to remain in force until the whole thing is settled?
§ The PRIME MINISTERThat, of course, will be considered by this Committee; I would rather hope that those who take a special interest in this matter should meet immediately; there is no reason why they should not meet at once.
§ Mr. THORNEIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that unless some decision is arrived at between now and Sunday they fall back to the hours 6 to 9?
§ Mr. G. TERRELLWill this Committee be a Select Committee of the House?
§ The PRIME MINISTERA Committee of that kind would certainly not be able to decide before Sunday. I think it would be far better to have an informal Committee, so that it could meet immediately—
§ Mr. THORNEWe could do it in two minutes!
§ Mr. GWYNNEWould the right hon. Gentleman bear in mind that this question 1933 refers to working men's clubs and not to those of working women?
§ Viscountess ASTORAnd to working women's lives!
Sir J. D. REESMay I inquire whether this Board, which was only created for the temporary needs of the War, is not an unconscionably long time in dying?
§ Lieut.-Colonel CROFTWould it not be possible to suspend the Order till the Committee has reported?
§ Mr. LYLEWhy, if it was easy to leave the time till 10 o'clock in the summer, is it difficult to come to a decision now?
§ The PRIME MINISTERThat is a subject that I have no doubt will be decided rapidly by the Committee. They can make special recommendations. The sooner they meet the better.
§ Mr. DEVLINWho are this Committee that can make these temporary un-official suggestions? Who are appointing the members? How are they to be selected? Are they appointing themselves as the hon. Member for Plymouth (Viscountess Astor) seems to suggest? I move that the hon. Member for Plymouth be a member of the Committee.
§ Mr. BOTTOMLEYMay I ask whether the following informal Committee of hon. Members of this House would be agreeable to the Government to advise them on this subject as suggested:—Mr. Raper, Mr. Terrell, Mr. Higham—[HON. MEMBERS: "Order, order!"]—I am quite in order—Mr. Thorne, Mr. Gwynne, Mr. Lyle, Mr. Raffan, Viscountess Astor, and myself?