§ 52. Sir A. HOLBROOKasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he is aware that the Carlisle and district State management has entered into competition with local manufacturers of temperance beverages, some of whom have already been forced out of business; whether he proposes to take any steps to prevent such competition; whether he is aware that the State management are competing with private interests in the general unlicensed catering trade; and whether such trade was considered in the State management scheme originally?
§ Sir V. HENDERSONThe Central Control Board (Liquor Traffic) in 1916 acquired four licensed businesses in the city of Carlisle, which, in addition to the manufacture of beer and the blending and bottling of spirits, etc., carried on business as aerated-water manufacturers. 2308 These businesses were almost immediately concentrated in one building. There has been no change in the policy of supplying food and non-alcoholic refreshment in the same premises as intoxicating liquor in Carlisle, and it seems to my right hon. Friend that that policy is clearly right.
§ Sir A. HOLBROOKIs it not within the knowledge of the hon. and gallant Gentleman that they are tendering now for catering contracts, and is it not a fact that that was never contemplated when the original control over liquor was given to the State?
§ Mr. MONTAGUEMay we be assured that the Conservative Government are still in favour of the principle of competition?
§ Mr. T. WILLIAMSIs it or is it not a fact that hon. Members opposite are constantly stating that every State undertaking is a failure, and does he not think the hon. and gallant Member who puts this question is justifying State enterprise?
§ Sir A. HOLBROOKIs it not a fact that if this State management paid Income Tax, Corporation Profits Tax, and Super-tax—[Interruption].
Sir F. HALLIs the hon. and gallant Gentleman aware that large numbers of the supporters of the Government are bitterly opposed in any shape or form to the nationalisation of any trade?
§ Mr. SCRYMGEOURMay we take it that the support of this policy is an indication that the Government are assisting the Temperance party to blockade Prohibition?