§ 60. Mr. LORIMERasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he can give the number of people convicted of methylated spirit drinking since the addition of pyridine was made compul- 2060 sory; and if he can give comparative figures of convictions before the new order was brought into force?
§ The UNDER-SECRETARY of STATE for the HOME DEPARTMENT (Mr. Rhys Davies)No, Sir It will not be possible to make any such comparison before the complete figures of convictions for drunkenness for the year 1924 are collected at the end of the year.
§ Mr. LORIMERIs it not possible to have figures for a month, three months, or six months?
§ Mr. DAVIESThis ingredient was introduced compulsorily on 1st May, 1924, and I do not think the result can be measured just yet.
§ Mr. LORIMERIs the hon. Gentleman aware that the chairman of the Liverpool Licensing Bench said that the increase in the consumption of methylated spirits was enormous and, that being so, will the hon. Gentleman not withdraw the Order that pyridine must be mixed with methylated spirits: it is very injurious to the industries which use methylated spirits?
§ Mr. DAVIESI am very desirous of making methylated spirits as unpalatable as possible to those who are inclined to drink it.
§ 71. Mr. LORIMERasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if, as methylated spirit is extensively used in surgery, and is one of the best sterilisers of the skin and of instruments, it has been brought to his notice that the addition of the new denaturant, pyridine, has a harmful effect upon the skin of the hands of surgeons and the skin of patients: and, if so, will he, in the interests oil surgeons and patients, have the Order to add pyridine to methylated spirit removed?