§ 50. Sir N. GRATTAN-DOYLEasked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury what expenditure has been incurred to date in respect of the proceedings of the Royal Commission on Licensing; and what is the total estimated cost of that inquiry?
§ Mr. PETHICK-LAWRENCEThe expenditure to date in respect of the Royal Commission on Licensing (England and Wales) is approximately £8,000. I am informed that it is not yet possible to forecast when the Commission will con- 271 clude its inquiry. An estimate of the total cost is not, therefore, possible at this stage.
§ Sir N. GRATTAN-DOYLECan the hon. Gentleman give some indication of the duration of this Commission, how far it has proceeded, and when it is likely to conclude its work?
§ Mr. PETHICK-LAWRENCEI am afraid it is not possible to do that. The Commission is still continuing its investigations.
§ Lieut.-Colonel ACLAND - TROYTEWill the hon. Gentleman stop this waste of money?
§ Mr. HANNONCan the hon. Gentleman say whether this Commission is achieving any useful purpose at all? Is it not a waste of public money?
§ Mr. SPEAKERMr. Charles Williams.
§ Mr. MATHERS rose—
§ Mr. C. WILLIAMSDid I not hear you call my name, Mr. Speaker, and may I put my question, No. 51?
§ Mr. SPEAKERI did call the hon. Member's name, but I very often go back a little.
§ Mr. MATHERSMay I ask if the Financial Secretary is aware that the sum which he mentioned, namely, £8,000, as the approximate cost of this Commission, is less than one year's profit on the Carlisle scheme at present?