§ MR. WOOTTON ISAACSON (Tower Hamlets, Stepney)I beg to ask the Home Secretary whether at the meetings of lodges of Masons, Oddfellows, Foresters, Druids, and other Societies on licensed premises, when only members of the Society are present, piano playing and singing are forbidden; and. if so, under which Act are the members of those Societies (who number many thousands) precluded from participating in such innocent amusement?
§ MR. MATTHEWSThe question is hardly definite enough for me to give a very satisfactory answer. I may say, however, that the only general Act bearing on the subject is the 20th George II., c. 36; and, speaking generally, the penalties in that Act fall upon the owner of the house, and not upon the visitors. Moreover, the police do not in practice interfere unless there is proof of actual disorderly conduct, immorality, or real mischief.
§ MR. W. ISAACSONIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that last week the police summoned members of one of these Societies for playing the piano and singing?
§ MR. MATTHEWSNo; I am not aware of it.