HC Deb 17 March 1959 vol 602 c195
28. Mr. McInnes

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will undertake to have a full inquiry made into the Scottish licensing laws.

Mr. N. Macpherson

My right hon. Friend regrets that there is nothing he can usefully add at present to the Answer he gave to the hon. Member on 3rd February.

Mr. McInnes

Is the Under Secretary aware that, almost without exception, the the Scottish Press has very definitely expressed the view that the Secretary of State is about to announce the appointment of a Royal Commission? Do I understand that the hon. Gentleman refutes that opinion, and that no such appointment will be made within, say, the next year or two?

Mr. Macpherson

If an announcement is to be made, it will be made to this House.

Mr. T. Fraser

Will the hon. Gentleman take it from me that if his right hon. Friend is considering the desirability of appointing a Royal Commission to inquire into the licensing laws in Scotland, he will have the unanimous support of Her Majesty's Opposition for that proposition?