§ Mr. Pakingtonwished to ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he contemplated any measure with regard to the present system of beer-shops?
§ The Chancellor of the Exchequerreplied, that if at that moment he saw any possibility of introducing a bill upon the subject that would be likely to pass into a law, he should be happy to take the matter entirely into his own hands. At present he saw no prospect of that kind, and, therefore, could not take upon himself the duty of bringing forward a measure; but when he made this statement he begged it to be understood that he reserved to himself the full power of introducing, at a subsequent period of the session, any measure that a more complete acquaintance with the subject might lead him to think necessary.
§ Mr. Pakingtonthen on the 4th of February would move for leave to bring in a bill to improve the present system of licensing houses for the sale of beer.
§ Lord Granville Somersetbelieved that 245 the Government had received some strong representations upon the subject of beer-shops as connected with the late outbreak in Wales. He believed also that the noble Lord (Lord J. Russell) opposite had expressed a decided opinion that the pre-system required amendment.
§ Lord J. Russellhad certainly expressed an opinion last year that the law relating to beer-shops might be improved; but he had at the same time stated that one of the things which he believed to be most essential to the preservation of order in the country was the having a good constabulary force.