HC Deb 29 March 1973 vol 853 cc1506-8
6. Mr. William Price

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many letters he has now received about the Erroll Committee; and what replies he has given.

Mr. Lane

About 335. The general line of reply has been that the views expressed will be considered before decisions are taken on the committee's recommendations.

Mr. Price

As action on the Erroll Committee Report is likely to be long-delayed will the Minister consider one specific point? Is he aware that some brewers are conducting a most vicious campaign against tenants of public houses? Hundreds of tenants are being kicked out and replaced by managers. Will the Government consider the possibility of introducing some form of protection for people whose only crime is that they are at the mercy of the brewers whose sole motive is financial greed?

Mr. Lane

These are lurid charges, and they are not the responsibility of the Home Office. I shall be glad to examine any evidence the hon. Member likes to give me.

Mr. Alexander W. Lyon

Since the House of Lords gave the proposal such a roasting the other day, shall we be given an opportunity to discuss the matter before a decision is taken? Is this the time to ease the licensing requirements for liquor, when all the indications are that the ill effects of alcoholism are increasing?

Mr. Lane

Obviously the question of a debate is one for my right hon. Friend the Leader of the House. We would welcome the views of hon. and right hon. Members on this important matter. We have had an airing of views in the other place, and even if this House does not debate the matter in the near future I hope that hon. Members will send us their views. The point raised by the hon. Member is one of the main criticisms put to us so far in representations from members of the public.

Mr. William Hamilton

Is the Minister aware that the Erroll Committee proposals go further than even the brewers wanted, for obvious political reasons? How many of the letters he has received propose the lowering of the age at which drinking becomes legal from 18 to 17? Many hon. Members would oppose that proposal.

Mr. Lane

That is one of the most common points of criticism contained in the letters. Most of the comments we have received have been critical of one aspect or another of the Erroll Committee recommendations, and the one referred to by the hon. Member has caused a lot of anxiety among many people.

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