§ The Earl of KIMBERLEYMy Lords, I beg leave to ask the Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.
§ The Question was as follows:
§ To ask Her Majesty's Government what progress has been made for the distribution of 50 per cent. of the Licensing Compensation Fund in view of the very sympathetic attitude of the Brewers' Society towards a charitable trust connected with alcohol abuse; and whether they have any proposals for deciding how the trustees of such a body might be appointed.
§ Lord WELLS-PESTELLMy Lords, in the course of further discussion the Brewers' Society and the licensed trade organisations have put to the Home Office some alternative proposals regarding the arrangements for distribution of 50 per cent. of the funds. They also made proposals about the appointment of trustees for the fund into which the remaining 50 per cent. would be paid; and they reaffirmed their acceptance of the Erroll Committee's statement of the purposes of this fund, which include but are not limited to measures against alcohol abuse. My right honourable friend the Home Secretary is now considering the alternative proposals put before him. There will need to be further consultations, particularly with representatives of the compensation authorities, before a scheme can be fully worked out.
§ The Earl of KIMBERLEYMy Lords, may I just thank the Minister for that very satisfactory Answer.