HL Deb 15 August 1878 vol 242 cc2009-10

(The Lord O'Hagan.)

THIRD READING.

Order of the Day for the Third Beading, read.

LORD DENMAN

said, that having, in 1860, opposed and protested against the Wine Licences and Refreshment House Bill for Ireland, he might consistently express his satisfaction at this Bill being ready for its third reading; but, inasmuch as the absence of compensation had been complained of in "another place," he might remark that no compensation was granted by the Forbes-Mackenzie Act for Scotland. At the same time, it must be remembered by their Lordships that the remission of the cost of the licence of one day in seven had been offered to the holders of the six-day licences in England; and, therefore, it would seem only just to grant the remission to those who were deprived of gain by this Bill. Yet those losses might possibly be turned into gains by the receipts from the increased numbers of bonâ fide travellers and lodgers on Sunday. The Committee presided over by the Duke of Westminster might take this matter into their consideration, and even if they did not recommend this reduction—which the Government, he presumed, might at any time grant by an Order in Council —he felt sure that the occupants of licensed houses would be greatly benefited by the rest which they would obtain; and the landlords also might lower the rent of hotels and public- houses and refreshment houses, a step which, in one instance, was taken by himself, on the suppression of a licence on his property, with great advantage to the tenant and his neighbours, and with lively satisfaction to himself.

Bill read 3a accordingly, and passed.