§ 7. Mr. Gibsonasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how far the 669 persons under 18 years of age against whom the offence of drunkenness was proved represents an increase or decrease as compared with the previous three years; and, in view of the aim of the law to prevent the sale of intoxicants to persons under 18 years of age, what steps he has taken to ascertain the principal sources from which these young persons obtain intoxicants.
§ Major Lloyd-GeorgeThe figure of 669 represents an increase over previous years, the corresponding figures for 1954 and 1953 being 511 and 368 respectively. Figures for 1952 are not available. Last year I asked chief constables for whatever information was available about each offence of drunkenness by persons under 18 in their police districts during 1954 and 1955. In 55 per cent. of the cases reported on, the source of the drink was not known, in 31 per cent. it is stated to be the public house; the next most frequent source was described as "friends or domestic sources". I have asked chief constables to supply similar information for offences in 1956.
§ Mr. GibsonI am much obliged to the right hon. and gallant Gentleman for that information. Would he inquire whether one of the greatest sources of this kind of drinking by young people under the age of 18 years is not those occasions when occasional licences are given for dances and activities of that kind all over the country? In my experience that is what I have found, and I should be glad if the Home Secretary would make some inquiries into that.
§ Major Lloyd-GeorgeI made some inquiries last year on this subject, when the question was raised of the danger of occasional licences. The granting of these licences is in the hands of the justices. I asked the chief constables of England and Wales to look into this, and they then said that they could not find any evidence to that effect. I have asked them again, and if I thought that this was becoming a serious matter—and I cannot say as yet that it is—I would take any steps that I could to stop it.