GREAT BRITAIN: Drink Report

William Warrender Mackenzie, first Baron Amulree of Strathbraan, is Britain’s foremost inquirer. He has investigated piece rates, trades disputes, industrial unrest, night baking, strikes, women in in-dustry, the wreck of the R-101 (TIME. Oct. 13, 1930). For two years he has been chairman of the Royal Commission on Licensing Laws investigating the British liquor situation. Last week, his work finished, long-nosed Lord Amulree made his report.

The 20 Commissioners examined 189 witnesses, from brewers to blue-ribboners. The report, which will be submitted to Parliament, was more optimistic than sensational. Viewed with alarm were:

¶ Brewer ownership of public houses (“tied house” system).

¶ Increased cocktail consumption.

¶ The habit of “perpendicular drinking,” instead of sitting down.

¶ Bad condition of hotels and “Olde English Innes.”

The Commission pointed with pride to:

¶ Decrease per capita consumption of alcoholics (from 32.53 gallons of beer, .97 gallon of liquor, .41 gallon of wine in 1899; to 16.42 gallons of beer, .25 gallon of liquor. .31 gallon of wine in 1929).

¶ Increased cost through taxation (beer doubled, liquor tripled in cost in 30 years).

¶ The fact that “drunkenness is no longer fashionable.”

The Commission recommended:

¶ Gradual abolition of “pubs” in favor of cafes, “refreshment bars.”

¶ A 10 p. m. closing hour for “pubs,” midnight for restaurants & hotels in London.

¶ Creation of a non-political licensing commission with broad powers.

¶ Further decrease in expenditures for drinking (£288,800,000 in 1929).

Prohibition was disposed of in a curt sentence: “No witness has suggested prohibition … as a practical proposition for this country, and we do not therefore propose to enter into any discussion of the merits or demerits of such a proposal.”