HC Deb 24 January 1949 vol 460 cc567-9
72. Mr. Harrison

asked the hon. Member for West Walthamstow, as Chairman of the Kitchen Committee, if, in view of the increasing consumption of alcoholic liquors and as an example to the country generally, he will take the necessary steps to curtail the hours permitted for the sale of such liquors in the House, so that they approximate to the permitted hours for sale in the country generally.

Mr. McEntee

The sale of alcoholic liquors in the House is not increasing but decreasing. The sales of alcoholic liquors for the year ending 31st December, 1948, were down by approximately 10 per cent. The Kitchen Committee recently decided to close the public bar on the Terrace at midnight, or half an hour after the House rises, whichever is the earlier. The present opening hours are fixed to meet the requirements of such Members of Parliament, and of the staff and Press as wish to avail themselves of the service, and we see no reason to alter them.

Mr. Harrison

In view of the fact that there has been an increasing consumption of alcoholic liquors in the country generally, did the hon. Gentleman's Committee take into consideration that very important fact? Is the hon. Gentleman also aware, or were his Committee aware, that with the passing of the new Licensing Act no other places in this country will be able to sell alcoholic liquor during such unrestricted hours as is the case in this House?

Mr. McEntee

We are well aware of the Licensing Act and of the hours of opening outside the House. There are several places in London alone where alcoholic liquors can be obtained at any time of the night.

Dr. Somerville Hastings

Might not the desirable result asked for in this Question also be obtained by having sufficient jugs of water in the Members' Dining Room?

Mr. McEntee

Members can always have a glass of water.

Mr. Driberg

Would my hon. Friend continue to resist the efforts of honourable busybodies to interfere with amenities which they have not the taste to enjoy?

Mr. McEntee

So far as the Committee consider the amenities reasonable, they certainly will do so.

Mr. James Hudson

From the figures which my hon. Friend gave to the House, can he give the total amount which this House spent on alcoholic beverages during the year?

Mr. McEntee

Not without notice.

73. Mr. Emrys Hughes

asked the hon. Member for Walthamstow, West, as Chairman of the Kitchen Committee, what quantities of beer, wines and spirits were sold in the Palace of Westminster in the years 1948 and 1938, respectively.

Mr. McEntee

I regret that I cannot answer my hon. Friend's Question, as the Kitchen Committee only controls the sale of food and drinks in part of the Palace of Westminster. As the quantities sold in 1938 are not now available, I am unable to give the figures for the House of Commons.

Mr. Hughes

Would the hon. Gentleman make further researches into this question? Is he aware that "No drink on the job" is the motto of other nationalised industries, and will he not apply it to this one?

Mr. McEntee

I have the actual figures for the financial expenditure but not in respect of quantities; the hon. Gentleman asked for quantities. The figures were: in 1938, £11,901, and 1948, £40,558, but it must be remembered that those figures include not only alcoholic drinks, but soft drinks, cider and other things. It will also be understood that whereas a bottle of whisky cost 12s. 6d. in 1938, it now costs 33s. 4d., so that there is no comparison.