I feel some regret that the Home Secretary has reversed
the decision of his predecessor and announced that licensed-houses in the new towns are not to be State-managed. Little though any unnecessary State activity is to be welcomed when so much of it is encountered at every turn, there is a good case, in my view, for giving the experiment of State management of public- houses a wider trial than it can get in Carlisre and one or two other areas. The original plan of extending the scheme to the North-East Coast area, where it could have been thoroughly tried out, was never carried into effect. A test in the new towns would have been very valuable, fat in spite of a general improvement in licensed premises, the case for disinterested management is strong. It seems a pity the chance is being missed.
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