asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he has considered the evidence, based upon the reports of 1,000 officers stationed throughout the country and submitted to him by the Salvation Army, of the increase in drinking and the results of treating; and whether he is now prepared to make a no-treating order.

The memorandum sent to me by the Salvation Army is receiving careful consideration and inquiries are being made about any statements therein which give sufficient particulars to provide a basis for inquiry. As regards treating, the memorandum does not, I think, add materially to the information already available, and there is nothing I can usefully add to the replies I have already given to questions on this subject.

When does the right hon. Gentleman expect to be in a position to make a statement?

I am not sure that I shall be able to make any definite statement at all.

Viscountess Astor:

Is it not about time that the Government paid some heed to the views of social workers, and others who are interested in the young people of the country, and do something about treating, which everyone knows must be stopped, or it will have dire effects?

Will the Home Secretary consider a voluntary appeal requesting licensed victuallers to display a simple notice asking that there shall be no treating?

I doubt whether that would be a proper course to adopt.

Is it not a fact that the Home Secretary promised that if facts were brought to his notice he would take some action, and have not enough facts been brought to his notice to enable him to take action?

They have not, and I am not going to be driven into making more Defence Regulations limiting people's liberties unless a case is made out for them.