25. Viscountess Astorasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether the provisions in the Intoxicating Liquor (Sale to Persons under Eighteen) Act, 1923, for the prevention of sale to young persons under 18 years of age will be made to apply in the regulations controlling the supply of liquor in canteens which are opened under Regulation 60AA; and whether he will insist on providing young people employed at places of work where liquor canteens are established, with separate well-appointed canteens in which meals and non-alcoholic beverages can be obtained?
§ The Under-Secretary of State for the Home Department (Mr. Peake)Steps are already being taken to see that special attention is paid in the running of these canteens to the interests of young people. Any arrangement which would facilitate drinking by young people would be entirely contrary to the purposes of the scheme, and the question of inserting in the authorisations, any necessary or appropriate conditions regarding persons under the age of 18 will be kept in mind. I do not know how far it may be practicable to establish separate canteens for young people, but I will confer with the Departments concerned on this point.
§ Mr. PeakeThe Noble Lady will be aware that full statements have been made in the House, in answer to Questions, by the Home Secretary and the Secretary of State for Scotland. The conditions laid down are so stringent that I think everybody is satisfied with them.
Viscountess AstorDoes my hon. Friend really think that people are satisfied, and does he not realise that unless he makes some absolute rule, the young people, if they have only wet canteens, will ten to one take what they ought not to and break the rule of the company?
§ Mr. MagnayDid not the Home Secretary say he would publish a full statement of what was intended by this Order? That was four weeks ago, and we have not seen it yet.
§ Mr. PeakeIf my hon. Friend had studied the OFFICIAL REPORT, he would have seen the statement for which he asks.