§ MR. JOHN WILSON (Lanark, Govan)I beg to ask the Lord Advocate if he is aware that, in Scotland, the authorities in granting licences do not confer any vested interest either in the property or in the individual upon whom the privilege of a licence is bestowed; and whether, under these circumstances, he will con- 451 sider the advisability of excluding Scotland from the operation of the Com pensation Clauses of the Local Taxation (Customs and Excise) Duties Bill?
§ * MR. J. P. B. ROBERTSONIn Scotland a vested right to trade in Exciseable liquor is conferred on the licensee; and that right may be renewed unless the Magistrates see cause to the contrary. There is nothing in the Scotch Licensing Laws which renders inapplicable to Scotland proposals for effecting on pecuniary terms the surrender of licences which are current and may be renewed; and it is manifest that these proposals are mis-described in the question as Compensation Clauses.
§ MR. J. WILSONDoes not the right hon. Gentleman know that the licence is for one year only, and that each year there must be a new application and a new grant by the Magistrates?
§ * MR. J. P.B. ROBERTSONI stated that a vested right to trade is conferred on the licensee, and I added that it might be renewed unless the Magistrates saw cause to the contrary.