§ 21. Mr. William Priceasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what study has been made of the likely effects on revenue from liquor of any extension of licensing hours.
§ Mr. HigginsNo quantitative estimates have been made.
§ Mr. PriceIs the Minister aware that if the Home Secretary gets his way and inflicts on this country continental licensing hours, meeting the substantial overheads involved in running public houses until three o'clock in the morning will involve a substantial increase in the cost of beer and spirits, people will be forced to drink a great deal less, and the loser will be the Exchequer by tens of millions of pounds a year?
§ Mr. HigginsI am aware that this has been alleged, but it has also been suggested that longer licensing hours might lead to an increase in consumption.