§ 1. Sir J. Lucasasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will require public houses in the State Management Scheme to have available at all times food, such as sandwiches, which can readily be taken with alcoholic drinks, in view of the danger to road safety from drivers who have taken even a small amount of alcohol.
§ The Joint Under-Secretary of State for the Home Department (Mr. Dennis Vosper)It is my right hon. Friend's policy to encourage the sale of food or snacks in State Management premises. He would not think it reasonable to require all the houses to have sandwiches available at all times, but such things as cheese snacks and potato crisps are 1452 on sale in almost every public house in the Carlisle State Management District, and any reasonable request for sandwiches is met if possible.
§ Sir J. LucasIn view of the fact that food intake retards the intake of alcohol into the blood stream, would my right hon. Friend suggest to publicans and brewers that biscuits at least should be not only available but on view in every bar, thereby stopping the chaps who are having one for the road from causing unnecessary accidents?
§ Mr. VosperThe Question relates to the State Management Scheme, but I think that, in general, my right hon. Friend would favour that proposition.