HC Deb 11 November 1971 vol 825 c226W
Mr. Bishop

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) if he will, within the general terms of reference of the Erroll Committee, which states that they are wide enough to consider all the implications of any proposed change in the licensing laws, specifically draw the Committee's attention to the increasing problem of the tied house system, and also draw the Brewers' Society's attention to the intensification of the system;

(2) if his assurance given to the hon. Member for Newark in a Written Parliamentary Answer on 18th June that the Erroll Committee's terms of reference were wide enough to enable it to consider all the implications of any proposed change in the licensing laws included the taking of evidence and pronouncing on the tied house system; and if he will ensure that this aspect falls within the Committee's powers in view of wide-spread public concern.

Mr. Maudling

In announcing my decision on 8th December, 1970, to set up the Committee on Liquor Licensing, I indicated that it would not be part of the Committee's functions to reconsider the Monopolies Commission's analysis and conclusions on the economic effects of the tied house system. This does not, however, preclude the Committee from considering the social implications of the Monopolies Commission's recommendation, or indeed any aspects of the tied house system which were not considered by the Commission and might have implications for the liquor licensing law; and I am sure that they require no prompting from me to do so.

My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry is responsible for matters relating to the tied house system.—[Vol. 808, c. 98.]