§ 17. Mr. PIKEasked the Home Secretary if he is aware of the inconvenience caused to the public in industrial areas by their inability to purchase beer for consumption off licensed premises in reputed half-pint measures; and whether he will facilitate the sale to children of 14 years under the conditions of sale which apply to reputed pint measures?
§ Sir J. GILMOURI am not aware of any provision which prevents the public 244 from obtaining beer in the manner indicated in the first part of the question. As regards the second part, I presume that the hon. Member is referring to the provision in Section 68 of the Licensing (Consolidation) Act, 1910, the effect of which is that a child under the age of 14 sent to fetch liquor may not have it delivered to him except in a corked and sealed vessel and in quantity of one reputed pint or more. The matter was considered by the Royal Commission on Licensing who recommended that the minimum quantity which can be so delivered should be reduced to one half-pint. That recommendation will receive careful consideration in connection with any amending legislation.
Viscountess ASTORDoes ale right hon. Gentleman regard this as the first offensive on the part of the brewers towards securing as drinkers the millions of young persons who do not yet know the taste of alcohol; and if he does bring in legislation to give effect to the recommendations of the Royal Commission will he bear it in mind to give effect to all of them and not only the compromise ones?
Mr. DEPUTY-SPEAKERThat supplementary question goes a considerable way beyond the terms of the original question.