HL Deb 21 June 1979 vol 400 cc1106-7

3.8 p.m.

The Earl of KIMBERLEY

My 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 is the current position of the Licensing Compensation Fund.

The PARLIAMENTARY UNDERSECRETARY of STATE, HOME OFFICE (Lord Belstead)

My Lords, discussions have for a considerable time been in progress between the Home Office and the Brewers' Society and licensed trade organisations about a possible scheme for disposing of the funds. We are now waiting for those bodies to approach us with modified proposals as a basis for further discussion.

The Earl of KIMBERLEY

My Lords, I thank the Minister for that Answer. Is he aware that last July—which I agree was not in the time of this Government—discussions were taking place between the Department of Health and Social Security, the Home Office and the Treasury over the disposal of these funds? Secondly, is he aware that the National and Medical Councils on Alcoholism are charitable bodies? Therefore, if the Brewers' Society and the Licensed Victuallers' Association have given their blessing to donating 50 per cent. to charity, would this not cut down public expenditure by having the two alcoholic councils subsidised by that, instead of by the Government?

Lord BELSTEAD

My Lords, I am aware that discussions on the disposal of these funds have been going on for a very long time indeed, and my noble friend and other noble Lords have shown considerable patience with the replies which successive Ministers have had to give in answer to this question. But I ought to say this to my noble friend. Following informal talks in February, the Brewers' Society undertook to produce a draft of a scheme under which the Society would take on a major part of the administration of repaying 50 per cent. of the fund. If that can be done, then the last part of the noble Earl's supplementary—namely, about setting up a trust fund—could possibly also be achieved. So that, first, there has to be a repayment before a trust fund can be set up.

The Earl of KIMBERLEY

My Lords, I thank my noble friend for that answer.