§ MR. SUMMERS (Huddersfield)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the information in his possession on which he bases 433 his statement in the Return on On-Licences, "that in many cases, for which the Magistrates' clerks are not responsible, the registers do not contain accurate records as to the ownership of licensed houses;" who are the persons who are responsible for the alleged defects in the existing registers; and whether he will take such steps as may be necessary to secure that in future the registers shall be properly kept?
§ MR. MATTHEWSThe headnote was prefixed to the Return in consequence of my having reason to believe that the provisions of Section 36 of the Licensing Acts, 1874, are not strictly observed. It often happens that changes of ownership, after a licence is first granted, are not stated either by the applicants for renewal or by the new owners, and that the name of a person who has ceased to be the owner continues on the register. I propose to issue a circular to the Licensing Justices calling their attention to the matter.
§ MR. SUMMERSThe Act of 1872?
§ MR. MATTHEWSI think it is 1874.