§ 12. Lord SCONEasked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he is aware that the various licensed premises now under State management in the Dornoch and Gretna areas were taken over solely to remove excessive opportunities for drinking on the part of the naval ratings and munition workers in these areas, and that State control was originally intended to lapse at the end of the War; and if he will state the reasons for continuing this form of State trading up to the present time?
§ Sir G. COLLINSI am aware that the premises in the Cromarty Firth and Gretna areas were originally taken over as part of the scheme of State management owing to war conditions. After the end of the War, however, Parliament by the Licensing Act, 1921, authorised the continuance of the schemes in these areas as well as in the Carlisle area, and they are being continued under that authority.
§ Lord SCONEIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that his answer does not give the information which is asked for in the question, namely, the reason for the continuance of this lamentable experiment in State trading?
§ Sir G. COLLINSPossibly my Noble Friend did not notice that I used the word "Parliament." Parliament in its wisdom decided to continue the Act in 1921 and no doubt at that time it had good reasons for the decision that was taken.
§ Lord SCONEDoes the right hon. Gentleman not consider that Parliament should have an opportunity of showing even more wisdom by abolishing this experiment?
§ Sir G. COLLINSNo, Sir.