§ 13. Mr. Simmonsasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) if he will arrange for the Social Survey Division of the Central Office of Information, which is carrying out on his behalf an investigation among selected police forces into the continuing increase in the number of offences of drunkenness, to enlarge the scope of its investigations, in so far as it affects drunkenness among juveniles and young persons, to include consultations with youth leaders, social workers and ministers of religion;
(2) if he will make available to the public the conclusions he comes to after receiving and considering the report he has arranged to be prepared by the Social 491 Survey Division of the Central Office of Information on increasing drunkenness; and if he will publish the statistics on which he bases his conclusions.
§ Mr. R. A. ButlerI think it will be wise to see what an investigation among police forces produces before deciding whether to extend it to other sources of information. When I have received the results I will consider what statement it would be appropriate to make about them.
§ Mr. SimmonsThe Home Secretary will be doubtless aware of the great disquiet at the increase in drunkenness among young persons. Would the right hon. Gentleman consider bringing into consultation youth officers, welfare workers and ministers, who would give a wider picture of the situation than that obtained from one or two selected police forces?
§ Mr. ButlerI am trying to acquire such information as I can. When I see the information that I get from the sources that are available to the police, I will certainly bear the hon. Member's suggestion in mind.