HC Deb 28 March 1928 vol 215 c1174
54. Mr. WELLOCK

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies the number of liquor licences now operating in Palestine and the number that existed under the Turkish régime; and if any of the present licensees are Moslems?

The SECRETARY of STATE for the COLONIES (Mr. Amery)

As regards the first part of the question, I would refer the, hon. Gentleman to the figures given in my reply to the hon. Member for Motherwell (Mr. Barr) on the 19th of March. No information is available as to the number of licences granted under the Turkish régime, nor am I able to say whether any of the present licensees are Moslems.

Viscountess ASTOR

Does not the right hon. Gentleman consider that, as we are in Palestine primarily to help the natives, it seems a pity that we should introduce the most unhelpful of any commodity in the world, namely, whiskey?

Mr. AMERY

I do not think that we are.