§ Mr. JAMES MASONasked the Parliamentary Secretary of the Ministry of Munitions (l) whether he has now devised any means by which the burden cast on the trade of the family brewers by the Liquor Control Board regulations can be removed; what steps he proposes to take to alleviate the hardship on this class of trader; (2) whether he will consider the possibility of amending the regulations of the Liquor Control Board with a view to removing the hardship on the family brewing section of the trade without reducing their effect either on hawking or on the prevention of home drinking to excess; whether he will consult the Union-of Family Trade Brewers on this point; and (3) whether he will state on what occasions, if any, the Liquor Control Board invited the Union of Family Trade Brewers to suggest alterations in the-Board's Regulations or restrictions which would obviate the hardship imposed by those Regulations and restrictions on the family brewing trade, and what reply was received from the union; and whether the object of the Board's Regulations regarding the delivery and supply of liquor by family brewers, and the orders and collection of accounts for such liquor, are made with a view to preventing hawking or preventing home drinking?
§ Dr. ADDISONThree formal deputations from the Union of Family Trade Brewers on the matters in question have 1045W been received since the 25th November, in addition to which representatives of the union have discussed these matters with representatives of the Control Board, and numerous written communications have also been addressed to the Board by the union. I do not think there is any want of understanding either on the part of the Control Board of the objections which the union take to the Regulations, or on the part of the union of the objects which the Board have in view.
§ Mr. MASONasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Munitions whether he is aware that the present Regulations of the Liquor Control Board operate in such a way as to induce moderate drinkers and their wives to take drink in public-houses instead of with their meals in their homes as they have hitherto been accustomed to do; and whether he proposes to take any action with regard to these Regulations?
§ Dr. ADDISONI think it may be regarded as established that the Control Board's Orders, taken as a whole, have, in the first place, effected a very large reduction of excessive drinking, and, in the second place, have had the effect of transferring some moderate drinking from the homes to the public-houses and some from the public-houses to the homes. I am glad to see the hon. Member's question, as the complaint which is implied in it is the exact converse of that usually made. I under-1046W stand that the Control Board have the question constantly under consideration and that they would welcome precise figures on the subject.