§ The House resolved itself into a Committee on this Act.
§ Mr. Spring Ricesaid, he had a Resolution to propose on which it was his intention to found a Bill. This Resolution, he begged to say, had not been founded on the report of the Committee. He disapproved of that report, because its object was to restore the old and objectionable system. At the same time he thought it impossible for any one to read the evidence which had been given before the Committee without feeling a wish that the constitution of beerhouses should be improved, and he hoped that this object might be effected without having recourse to any objectionable enactment. He proposed to raise the character of the beer-shops by raising the price of the licence. He would still, however, leave the licences to be granted by the Excise-office, and would confer no additional jurisdictions on Magistrates, except with respect to police regulations. The right hon. Gentleman concluded by moving the following Resolution:—" That for every licence to be granted to any person to sell beer, or ale, or porter, by retail in any part of Great Britain, shall be paid the sum of 5l.; and for every licence to be granted to any person to sell cyder by retail in any part of Great Britain shall be paid the sum of 50s. in lieu of the present duties payable thereon."
§ Mr. Warburtonwould not oppose the Resolution, but at the same time he must say, that, considering the large number of persons whose interests were involved in the question, it was perfectly impossible 587 that the Bill proposed to be introduced, could be passed into a law at this late period of the Session, unless it should clearly appear that it was altogether unobjectionable. To any measure founded on the report of the Committee he would give his strenuous opposition.
§ The Resolution agreed to, and the House resumed.