HC Deb 07 May 1924 vol 173 c465W
Mr. LEIF JONES

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware that the present system of regulating the sale of liquor in the British mandated territories in Africa is a violation of Article 22 of the Covenant of the League of Nations, which expressly provides for the prohibition of abuses such as the slave trade, the arms traffic, and the liquor traffic in such territories; and whether he is now prepared to enforce the League policy of prohibition in place of the present imperfect system of regulation and control among these native populations, for whose well-being and development we as a nation are trustees under the League?

Mr. THOMAS

Article 22 of the Covenant does not provide for prohibition of alcoholic liquor in mandated territories, but for the prohibition of "abuses such as the slave trade, the arms traffic, and the liquor traffic." The phrase "the liquor traffic" primarily meant "the importation of cheap distilled liquors for sale or barter as an article of trade with African natives." Such distilled liquors were generally known as "Trade Spirits." Under the terms of the mandates confirmed by the Council of the League of Nations the Mandatory is bound to exercise a strict control over "the sale of spirituous liquors," and under the terms of the Liquor Traffic Convention of 1919, which amplifies in detail the meaning of Article 22 of the Covenant on this point, the importation and sale of trade spirits is prohibited altogether. It is only in those regions where the use of spirits by natives has not already been developed that the importation and sale to natives of all spirits has to be prohibited. I am satisfied that there is no ground for going further than has already been done.