HC Deb 06 December 1878 vol 243 cc209-10

Considered in Committee.

(In the Committee.)

MR. STAVELEY HILL moved— That the Chairman be directed to move the House, that leave be given to bring in a Bill to amend the Licensing Laws.

SIR CHARLES W. DILKE

said, that his objection to this Motion was that it ought to be made later. Last Session the Government recommended the hon. Member to wait for the Report of the Lords' Committee; he did not do so, however, but endeavoured to press the Bill. The Lords' Committee had not yet reported, and the Government would give no encouragement for carrying Bills of this kind until the Lords' Committee had reported.

MR. MUNDELLA

hoped that the same privilege would be extended to the hon. and learned Member as had been afforded to every other hon. Member, and that the Bill would be allowed to be introduced and read a first time. All the magistrates in the country were in favour of it. It related to the important subject of grocers' licences, and it was very desirable that the subject should be discussed.

MR. STAVELEY HILL

hoped the House would allow the measure to be discussed by giving leave for its introduction.

SIR WILFRID LAWSON

pointed out that there were six drink Bills on the Paper, and that four had been allowed to be introduced sub silentio; and it would be rather hard upon the hon. and learned Member not to allow this Bill to be brought in at once, as the Lords' Committee might sit for ever.

SIR HENRY SELWIN-IBBETSON

said, he did not think it fair that this measure should be singled out from a number of others for opposition. Until it was so decided by some Resolution of the House, it would not be well to subject Bills of this sort to opposition on the Motion for Leave to introduce them. The Bill would not be taken for second reading until after the Lords' Committee had reported, if that Report were made in sufficient time, and when it came on again the Government would state what they proposed to do.

MR. CHAMBERLAIN (for Sir CHARLES W. DILKE)

said, that no division was intended to be taken at this stage. He submitted, however, that the question was one of very great importance, and required the urgent attention of the House.

Motion agreed to.

Resolution reported:—Bill ordered to be brought in by Mr. STAVELEY HILL, Mr. MUNDELLA, and Mr. RODWELL.

Bill presented, and read the first time. [Bill 25.]