§ 15. Mr. William Hamiltonasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what research is being done into the part played by consumption of alcohol in crimes of violence; and what approaches have been made to him by the Scottish distillers and brewers to help finance such research.
§ 13. Mr. Hannanasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what research is being conducted by his Department into the relationship of the consumption of alcohol as a contributory factor in the commission of crimes and offences including crimes of violence.
§ Mr. BuchanSeveral criminological studies, current and prospective, in Scotland will take the effects of alcohol into account. There is an established and significant link betwen intoxication and crimes of violence and I doubt if this by itself would be a useful area of research. I do not know of any initiative by brewers or distillers in this field.
§ Mr. HamiltonWe are all glad that there was a reduction in crimes of violence in 1969 compared with 1968. However, is my hon. Friend aware that last year the profits of the Distillers Company Ltd. were nearly £53 million? Does he not think that that company would show some sense of social responsibility if it devoted a little of that profit to research into this problem?
§ Mr. BuchanYes, I think that all of us who are involved in this matter know that there is a direct link between the two. I cannot speak about the moral responsibility of others, but I am aware of the strong link between the consumption of alcohol in our cities and the incidence of violence.