§ 78. Mr. BARRasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether his 1855 attention has been called to the fact that there has been a great increase in the number of places licensed for the sale of alcoholic liquors in Jerusalem and at the railway stations in Palestine since that country was taken under our mandate; and whether he proposes to take any action in the matter?
§ Mr. AMERYI have no information on the subject, but any increase in the number of licences issued for the sale of intoxicating liquors in Jerusalem and at railway stations in Palestine is presumably due to the large increase of population of European provenance in that country since 1921, and I do not propose to take any action in the matter.
§ Mr. BARRIn view of the fact that for certain mandated territories it is laid down that there shall be a complete prohibition of alcohol sales, is this not in direct opposition to the principles laid down in the Covenant of the League of Nations?
§ Mr. AMERYNo. The hon. Member will understand that there is a great difference between an aboriginal population in Africa and a population which is largely of European origin in Palestine.
§ Mr. SCRYMGEOURIs the right hon. Gentleman aware of that other prohibition law, which says that nothing that "worketh abomination or maketh a lie" shall enter into the New Jerusalem?
| The number of potteries with leadless glaze certificates is 193. This figure includes 22 low solubility glaze factories which, having satisfied the Chief Inspector of Factories that leadless glaze is used for a substantial part of the output, are entitled under No. 2 of the Regulations to the same exemption as leadless glaze factories. The number of potteries with low solubility glaze certificates (excluding the 22 above-mentioned) is 171. Total 364. | |||||||
| Year. | Number of samples of leadless and low solubility glazes. | Results of analysis. | |||||
| Leadless. | Low Solubility. | ||||||
| Leadless. | Low Solubility. | Total. | Not exceeding 1% total lead. | In excess of 1% Details below. | Not exceeding 5% Soluble lead. | In excess of 5% Details below. | |
| (1) | (2) | (3) | (4) | (5) | (6) | (7) | (8) |
| 1924 | 23 | 60 | 83 | 21 | 2 | 58 | 2 |
| 1925 | 47 | 50 | 97 | 37 | 10 | 49 | 1 |
| 1926 | 20 | 64 | 84 | 19 | 1 | 64 | — |
Commander WILLIAMSMay I ask if this is not due very largely to the increase of people from America?
§ Mr. MONTAGUEMay I ask whether the right hon. Gentleman agrees with the policy of "Hands off Palestine"?
§ Mr. WESTWOODIs this not changing the old tradition of a land flowing with milk and honey to a land flowing with beer and whisky?
§ Mr. BARRIs the right hon. Gentleman prepared to accept the statement which I make that the number of places licensed for the sale of liquor in Jerusalem has been increased from 35 to 300?
§ Mr. AMERYI will certainly make inquiries. There is no doubt that there has been an increase, but I have no reason to think there is any excessive consumption of alcohol as a result.