HL Deb 23 October 1979 vol 402 cc4-6

2.45 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 they propose to do about the disposal of the Licensing Compensation Fund when the Brewers' Society have submitted revised proposals.

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

My Lords, revised proposals have been received from the Brewers' Society and have been discussed with them. Further consultations within Government will need to take place before a decision can be reached on the disposal of the funds.

The Earl of KIMBERLEY

My Lords, may I thank my noble friend for that Answer? I think it is the thirteenth in four years. Does he not agree that it is time the Brewers' Society proposals were put into action? Further, does he not agree that some of the money should go towards rehabilitating the unfortunate alcoholic in this country?

Lord BELSTEAD

My Lords, I am grateful to my noble friend for his interest in an important fund. If I may first reply to the first part of his supplementary question, we have taken a step forward. We now have proposals from the Brewers' Society and we really do have to look at them to see that they are practicable and not too costly to administer. Regarding the second part of my noble friend's question, the Government attach importance to the principle accepted by other parties to the discussions that the money should be used, at least in part, for public purposes such as those that the Erroll Committee had in mind some seven years ago. These include the types of purpose which I know my noble friend has in mind.

Lord PAGET of NORTHAMPTON

My Lords, in view of the Government's need for early and urgent popularity, is there not a case for devoting this fund to reducing the price of beer? It would be the only price that is reduced.

Lord BELSTEAD

My Lords, maybe that would help with alcoholic troubles; maybe it would not. From the time that the Erroll Committee sat, most people have felt that at least part of these funds should be devoted to trying to help generally with the problem of alcoholism.

Lord JANNER

My Lords, will the noble Lord inform the House for how many years this fund has been held up? The charities—which are very well deserving—need the money. When he meets the Brewers' Society again will he explain why this matter has taken so many years? How many more years is it going to take before the charities benefit from the fund?

Lord BELSTEAD

My Lords, I do not think I wish to go back to the time of pre-1904 licences. But, to be more helpful to the noble Lord, a genuine answer is that the Brewers' Society scheme has to be looked at carefully—and we received it only in July—first of all to see whether it is too costly to administer. The question of administering a trust has to be worked out, and I must be blunt and say that the distribution of these moneys will need legislation.

Lord ELWYN-JONES

My Lords, will the Minister say how much money there is in this fascinating "kitty"?

Lord BELSTEAD

Over £4 million, my Lords.

Lord HAMNETT

My Lords, is the Minister able to give the House any information as to when there are likely to be any enactments arising from the Erroll Committee Report?

Lord BELSTEAD

My Lords, I think that that goes a little wider than the Question I was asked. If the noble Lord cares to put a Question down, I shall do my best to reply to him.