§ 16. Mr. McInnesasked the Secretary of State for Scotland when the Guest Committee on Licensing was appointed; and when it is likely to submit its Second Report dealing with the sale of excisable liquor in areas of housing development and redevelopment.
§ Mr. Brooman-WhiteLord Guest's Committee was appointed on 13th August, 1959, and submitted its First Report on 20th October, 1960. I understand that it hopes to be in a position to submit its Second Report, covering the outstanding items of its remit, early in 1963.
§ Mr. McInnesIs not the hon. Gentleman aware that the question of permitting licensed premises on housing estates is not a very complicated or complex subject? I personally do not understand why the Committee should take almost three years to deliberate on this very simple subject. What steps does the Minister propose to take to expedite the Report?
§ Mr. Brooman-WhiteThe hon. Gentleman may be aware that the second part of the remit covered the constitution of licensing courts as well as the point to which he referred. The Committee, I am informed, had 11 meetings before giving its first and very useful Report. It has had 14 meetings on the second part of the remit. I think it is pressing on with all reasonable effort to achieve its job.