asked the Minister for Justice if he is aware of the seriousness of the claims now mounting up for compensation in respect of the destruction of British beer and the disfigurement of licensed and other premises; and if he will see that such claims are made a national charge and not added to the burdens of the local ratepayers.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Destruction of British Beer.
I have no official information as to the amount of these claims and I do not propose to take any action as regards the incidence of any liability.
I suppose the Minister is aware that this campaign against Bass, the destruction of full bottles of Bass, the destruction of Bass signs and the disfigurement of premises which Messrs. Bass hold has been proclaimed by certain bodies to be a national campaign in furtherance of the "Boycott British Goods" policy. I put it to the Minister that the compensation charges in respect of such claims should be made a national charge as it is proclaimed to be a national campaign and should not be placed on the overburdened taxpayers in the towns in which these terrible outrages are allowed to take place with a certain sort of connivance from the Government opposite.