§ 30. Mr. Doddsasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many convictions for dunkenness took place in the Metropolitan Police district during the calendar year 1950; and what was the comparable figure for 1946.
§ The Secretary of State for the Home Department (Mr. Ede)Sixteen thousand, seven hundred and sixty. The comparable figure for 1946 was 9,107.
§ Mr. J. HudsonIn view of the deplorable increase in the number of cases of drunkenness in the Metropolitan area and the decision of the House of Commons to increase the facilities for drinking during the Festival of Britain, has any thought been given to the necessity for greater safeguards in the supply of drink during the Festival of Britain?
§ Mr. EdeThe figures which I have given to the House have caused me very serious concern, and I am investigating the causes which can be assigned for them and what action, if any, can be taken to secure a reversal of the position.
§ Mr. ShepherdAs there was a greater consumption of liquor in 1946 than in 1950, is not the obvious remedy to increase the supply?
§ Mr. Somerville HastingsCan my right hon. Friend say whether this unfortunate result is to be found only in London or whether there has been an increase in the figures in other large towns?
§ Mr. EdeI regret to say that such figures as I have been able to examine as a result of the reports of Brewster Sessions, and so on, indicate that this trend is prevalent all over the country.