43. Sir F. HALLasked the Lord Privy Seal whether his attention has been called to a letter, B/H548, recently published in the Press, which was sent on the 3rd July, 1919, by the Central Control Board for Liquor Traffic, Carlisle district, to a Carlisle club, at the time the Government removed the restrictions on the quantity of beer to be brewed, threatening certain coercive action in the event of the club placing its orders for beer elsewhere; if he will state by whose orders this communication was sent; whether its contents were at any time brought before the Central Liquor Control Board; and, if so, what action was taken thereon?
§ The SECRETARY of STATE for the HOME DEPARTMENT (Mr. Shortt)I have been asked to answer this question. I understand that the letter was written by the Central Control Board's late general manager for the Carlisle district in the exercise of his discretion. He reported the letter and other circumstances of the case to the Board, who, I understand, did not consider that the case called for any further special action on their part.
Sir F. HALLDoes not the right hon. Gentleman think it discreditable that a representative of the Government should take up such an attitude as is indicated in the letter referred to in this question?
§ Mr. SHORTTNo, Sir; and if my hon. and gallant Friend knew the whole of the circumstances, I do not think he would think so.
Sir F. HALLAre the circumstances as laid down in the letter referred to in the question; and, if so, does the right hon. Gentleman agree with action of that character? Is any action going to be taken in connection with the officer who indited or sent this letter, or is responsible for it?
§ Mr. SHORTTThe letter was written in 1919, and he has ceased for a long time to be in office.
§ Colonel Sir A. HOLBROOKIs it the fact that in this letter the statement was made that he had sent to this club 1,000 per cent, more spirits than he was entitled to under the Restriction Act?
§ Mr. SHORTTYes, Sir; I have read the letter.