HC Deb 25 July 1929 vol 230 cc1491-2
Mr. TOOLE

(by Private Notice) asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he is yet in a position to make any statement as to the composition and terms of reference of the proposed Royal Commission on Licensing?

Mr. CLYNES

I regret that I cannot yet make any complete statement of the personnel of the Commission, but I am pleased to be able to inform the House that Lord Amulree, who is perhaps better known as Sir William Mackenzie, has consented to act as chairman. The terms of reference will be: To inquire into the working of the laws relating to the supply and sale of intoxicating liquors, and into the social and economic aspects of the question, and to examine and report upon proposals that may be made for amending the law in England and Wales in the public interest.

Mr. TOOLE

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether it is the intention of the Commission to visit other countries in their investigations, and can he give any idea how long they will be occupied with their investigations; and is it the right hon. Gentleman's intention to introduce legislation founded on the findings of the Commission?

Mr. CLYNES

I can only say that the Commission will make due inquiries and will have a very wide and complete control of its own procedure.

Viscountess ASTOR

Will the Commission inquire into the question of drink sold in clubs?

Mr. CLYNES

Certainly.

Mr. LEIF JONES

Will the Commission report on the different aspects of the question from time to time, or will it wait until the end of its labours before any legislation is possible?

Mr. CLYNES

That depends on circumstances and the speed with which the inquiry is conducted.

Mr. FOOT

Is it intended that the Commission will commence its operations before the reassembly of Parliament?

Mr. CLYNES

Yes, it is our desire to complete the personnel of the Commission as speedily as possible. The names will be announced in the ordinary way. Of course, a good deal of time must be taken up in the preparatory work, but I think the Commission should set to work seriously before the House resumes.

Sir HERBERT NIELD

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman, who knows the interest I have in this matter, whether, seeing the feeling that this particular question arouses, he will take unusual care to see that the Commissioners are perfectly impartial?

Mr. CLYNES

I think that when the personnel is announced it will be seen that that has been the object of the Government.

Mr. STEPHEN

Can my right hon. Friend tell us anything with regard to the Commissioners to be appointed for Scotland?

Mr. CLYNES

I understand that the Secretary of State for Scotland will shortly make some announcement on that point.