SALE OF BEER. (Hansard, 29 April 1834)

§ Sir Edward Knatchbull
moved for leave, to bring in a Bill to regulate the Sale of Beer, observing, that any discussion of the measure that might be desired could take place on the second reading.

§ Mr. Warburton
felt it his duty to object to the introduction of any Bill on this subject, however unusual the course might be considered, until they knew its object.

§ Sir Edward Knatchbull
said, that he merely asked leave to bring in the Bill now, intending of course to explain its revisions on the second reading. He 292 had understood from the noble Lord opposite, that he would be allowed to adopt this course.

§ Lord Althorp
never intended to pledge himself, that no objection to the introduction of the Bill should be made. The hon. Baronet had, however, given the Government precedence at an early hour, when he could have entered at length into an explanation of the measure, and, therefore, he (Lord Althorp) hoped the House would extend to the hon. Baronet the courtesy to which he was entitled, by giving him leave to introduce his Bill.

§ Mr. Hume
observed, that this was a subject which involved so many interests, that it would not be advisable to allow any further changes to be made in the Beer-laws until the grounds of the proposed changes were fully stated to the House, in order that the thousands who were concerned in the matter might know exactly what was proposed to be done. Without such a statement, the introduction of the Bill could only tend to excite alarm, and, therefore he also should oppose the Motion of the hon. Baronet.

§ Lord Howick
expressed a hope, that the hon. Member for Bridport would not press his objection. He (Lord Howick) was as much opposed as any one to anything like monopoly in the sale of beer, but still it was impossible to look at the state of the law without being convinced of the necessity of imposing some new police regulations with respect to beer-shops. This was the principal object which the measure now proposed to be introduced by the hon. Baronet had in view, and therefore the House ought to consent to his Motion. He was sure, that both the hon. member for Bridport and the hon. member for Middlesex, must feel, that by certain police regulations, many of the abuses that now certainly existed, might be removed. No alarm would be caused out of doors by allowing the hon Baronet to introduce at present his proposed Bill, and to briefly explain the nature of the regulations he proposed. He trusted, therefore, that the House would consent to the introduction of the Bill, since that would not at all pledge them as to its details.

§ Mr. Roebuck
thought, they ought to watch narrowly anything introduced by the hon. Baronet, since his opinions on this subject were pretty well known.

§ Mr. Ayshford Sanford
was in favour of 293 the introduction of the Bill. If it were brought in and printed, the people would be better satisfied as to its nature than they could be by any discussion that could then take place; and, from what he had heard of the measure, he considered it one likely to remedy the mischiefs complained of.

Colonel Evans
thought, that the hon. Baronet in introducing his Bill, ought to state to the House its general purposes.

§ Sir Edward Knatchbull
said, he did not, at that late hour of the night, and in his present state of exhaustion, feel the power of fully stating the details of his proposed measure. He should briefly state its chief objects, and he hoped they would prove satisfactory to the House. The House was fully aware how the original measure for the sale of beer was introduced. He did not mean to interfere with the general principle of that Bill of giving cheap beer to the poor, and providing in this respect for their comforts and enjoyments. Though many of the Members behind him might differ with him on certain points, still, if it were shown to them that evils existed, he was sure they would unite with him in adopting mild means to remedy those evils. With a view of repressing those evils, it was his intention to submit a Bill which should provide that sufficient security should be given by individuals who intended to open beer-houses. Before permission was granted them to do so, they should be recommended by persons residing in their parish as fit and proper persons to open such houses. Drinking beer on the premises was not to be permitted, unless the persons owning beer-houses should obtain a certificate from respectable individuals resident in the parish, that a house for the consumption of beer in that way was convenient and necessary. It would be also necessary to give additional control as to the time those houses should be kept open, and to persons visiting those houses in case of disorder and disturbance. These were the chief regulating points of his proposed Bill, and he hoped that the House would be satisfied with them, and think he had said sufficient to show the expediency of introducing the present measure.

§ Mr. Warburton
said, it was his intention, when the clauses proposed by the hon. Baronet were about to be introduced to divide the House upon them. 294 The clause about certificates from persons resident in the parishes where beer-shops were to be opened would prevent those wishing to open them from obtaining such license. He could not even allow the Bill to proceed one step without opposition, and he must divide the House upon the Motion.

List of the NOES.
ENGLAND.	Wallace, Robert
Aglionby, H. A.	IRELAND.
Childers, J. W.	Blake, M.
Evans, Colonel	Fitzsimon, C.
Gisborne, T. N.	O'Dwyer, A. E.
Hawes, B.	Ruthven, E.
Roebuck, J. A.	Vigors, N. A.
Strickland, Sir G. W.	TELLERS.
Thicknesse, R.	Hume, J.
SCOTLAND.	Warburton, H.
Oswald, James