§ MR. SUMMERS (Huddersfield)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether the clerks of Licensing Magistrates are compelled by law to keep a register of the names of the owners of the freehold of licensed premises, and of the persons to whom licences have been granted; and, if so, whether he will cause a Return to be prepared of the owners and occupiers of 1019 licensed premises in each city, municipal borough, and Petty Sessional Division respectively, in England and Wales?
§ MR. MATTHEWSI suppose the hon. Member to refer to the register provided for by Section 36 of the Licensing Act of 1872. That register does not necessarily show the name of the freeholder. A Return such as the hon. Member suggests could be obtained only by applying to all the clerks to Licensing Justices throughout the Kingdom would take a long time to obtain and present, and would, in my opinion, be of doubtful utility.
§ MR. STOREY (Sunderland)Might I call the attention of the Home Secretary to the fact that Clause 6 of the Bill we are now discussing turns upon the compensation to owners, and Amendments have been put down dealing with the case of the occupier? How can the House fairly discuss this question as between owner and occupier unless the Government furnish us with the information which is in their hands as to owners and occupiers? On a recent occasion I asked the First Lord of the Treasury this question, and showed him the very Return we are now asking for in connection with Sunderland.
§ MR. MATTHEWSI have pointed out to the hon. Member that the Return could only be made with great difficulty. If, however, it is possible to get the information in time for the discussion it shall be done.
§ MR. STOREYI shall be very glad to show the right hon. Gentleman a copy of the register kept by all clerks to the Licensing Justices.