HC Deb 23 December 1915 vol 77 cc629-32W
Mr. W. THORNE

asked the Minister of Munitions whether a letter was addressed from his Department to the Central Control Board (Liquor Traffic) previous to the imposition of the new Closing Order in the Metropolitan area asking for the same to be enforced, which letter was signed by the Member for Hoxton; and whether he will disclose its exact terms to the House?

Dr. ADDISON

Various communications referring to the London area have passed between the Ministry and the Control Board, some of which have been signed by myself. It is contrary to the practice of the Government service to publish Departmental correspondence, and there appears to be no reason for departing from the practice in this case, but I may say that the impression which the first part of the question appears to convey is not in accordance with what took place.

Mr. THORNE

asked the Minister of Munitions whether a circular letter was addressed by the Central Control Board (Liquor Traffic) to the various borough councils in the Metropolitan area requesting their co-operation in carrying into effect the new Closing Order in the Metropolitan area; whether he will state how many councils have replied assuring the Board of their co-operation and, if so, which councils; and whether any councils have replied that they consider the Order unnecessary and uncalled for and, if so, which councils?

Dr. ADDISON

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. As regards the second part, the Board's letter was not such as to require an answer. As regards the third point, out of the twenty-nine Metropolitan borough councils, three, namely, Bermondsey, Bethnal Green, and Deptford, have communicated their dissent.

Mr. THORNE

asked the Minister of Munitions what persons were consulted with regard to the opening hours in the early morning for public houses in and around Smithfield Market; whether he is aware that these hours practically exclude a number of butchers who, between the hours of 6 a.m. and 9 a.m., come to market to buy meat and with whom it is a long established practice to take reasonable alcoholic refreshment; and whether he has any evidence in his possession showing that the hundreds of butchers who attend Smithfield suffer from drunkenness, alcoholism, or excess to such an extent that while public houses can be opened from 4 a.m. to 6 a.m. for the convenience of men carting meat from docks and railways it is inadvisable to open them to the butchers who spend their money purchasing meat in the market?

Dr. ADDISON

It does not appear possible to deal with all these points within the limits of an answer, but my right hon. Friend is informed that detailed inquiries were made with regard to the labour conditions at Smithfield Market, and that the hours from 4 to 6 a.m. were fixed in relation to the special needs of the night workers. If the hon. Member will put forward a definite suggestion as to the facilities which he considers desirable in the public interest my right hon. Friend will have the matter gone into.

Mr. THORNE

asked the Minister of Munitions whether he will give the names of the various trade unions, branches of which have sent protests to the Board of Control against the imposition of the new closing order in the London area?

Dr. ADDISON

It would be misleading to give publicity to resolutions of protest received from: local branches of trade unions, in the absence of evidence that such resolutions reflect the attitude of the unions as a whole, which is by no means always the case. It would also be necessary to give equal publicity to resolutions of trades unionists and other citizens strongly endorsing the restrictions applied.

Mr. THORNE

asked the Minister of Munitions whether he will state how many witnesses were examined as representative of local governing bodies of the administrative county of London, at the Central Control Board (Liquor Traffic) inquiry, at the Middlesex Guildhall, on 1st October; what were the names of the witnesses; whom did they represent; and what was the general tenour of their evidence as to the drunkenness or otherwise of the various classes of munition and transport workers in the Metropolitan area?

Dr. ADDISON

More than thirty of the witnesses who gave evidence at the inquiry represented local authorities and licensing justices, and of these more than one-third represented areas within the administrative county. The general tenour of the evidence given was that restrictions on the sale of intoxicating liquor in the Metropolitan area were desirable in the interest of national efficiency and the successful conduct of the War. This view has been fully borne out by experience subsequent to the application of the Order.

Mr. NIELD

asked the Minister of Munitions in what areas Orders of the Central Control Board (Liquor Traffic) are in operation within the counties of London, Middlesex, Devon, and Lancaster, including the cities or boroughs of the two last-named counties; are these Orders identical in their terms and period of operation; if not, in what particulars do they materially differ; has any modification or relaxation of the terms been imposed in any and which areas in consequence of the Christmas season; and what is the effect of such modification or relaxation, respectively?

Dr. ADDISON

The particulars asked for cannot be given within the limits of an answer, but they can be readily ascertained from the Orders, copies of which I am sending to the hon. Member.

Mr. THORNE

asked the Minister of Munitions whether he has received official information showing that the regulation forbidding the sale of spirits in bottles holding less than a reputed quart has increased instead of diminishing the danger to soldiers, who are now found to be buying whole bottles of whisky and drinking the alcohol undiluted; and whether he will address a letter to the Central Control Board (Liquor Traffic) and ask them to withdraw these regulations?

Dr. ADDISON

My right hon. Friend is informed that the period for which the regulation in question has been in force is insufficient to enable a decided opinion to be expressed. The matter is being carefully watched. So far as an opinion can be formed at present, the results obtained under the restrictions mentioned are distinctly beneficial.

Mr. THORNE

asked the Minister of Munitions whether he is aware that Police Court missionaries and magistrates have alleged that there is an increase in home drinking among the population of Liverpool, and referred to prejudicial results arising therefrom; and whether he will ask the Central Control Board (Liquor Traffic) to hold an inquiry into the working of the drink Closing Order in the Liverpool area and to take open evidence from all responsible persons wishing to tender the same?

Dr. ADDISON

My right hon. Friend is informed that allegations of an increase in home drinking have been made both in Liverpool and elsewhere, as against an admitted decrease of public-house drinking of far greater extent and importance. The Central Control Board have under consideration the extension to Liverpool of the restrictions on hawking, which have worked and are working with success elsewhere in largely reducing home drinking. There does not appear to be sufficient reason for adopting the suggestion made in the last paragraph.

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