§ MR. WYLDsaid, he would beg to ask Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer, "Whether in the event of the keepers of eating-houses and refreshment rooms receiving licences for the sale of" Wine and Beer by retail, any measure to be introduced for that purpose will render them liable to have soldiers billeted upon them, as licensed victuallers now are?
§ THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUERSir, If my hon. Friend will permit me, I would rather lay on the table at once all the regulations which Her Majesty's Government may think lit to propose for the adoption of the House with regard to the conditions under which any licences for the sale of wine may hereafter be granted to the keepers of eating-houses. It would be inconvenient if I were to enter partially into that question. I have, however, no difficulty in answering my hon. Friend on one point, because it tends to narrow the field of discussion, and the field of any difference of opinion which may prevail, that is, by saying that Her Majesty's Government have no intention of making any proposal to the House on the subject of licences for the sale of beer. They think that that matter is so far provided for by the existing law, and is so mixed up with the conflict of interests between the beerhouse keepers and the licensed victuallers, that it had better stand over till the whole question with regard to licences can be dealt with. The proposal of the Government, therefore, will not have reference to the sale of beer, but only to that of wine.