§ LORD FERMOYsaid, he had failed to catch the previous answer of Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer, and he therefore begged to ask the right hon. Gentleman the question standing in his name—namely, Whether he has any intention of altering the existing system of licensing public-houses further than he proposed to do by his Budget?
§ THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUERSir, my noble Friend is doubtless aware that several years ago a Committee of this House sat on the subject of licensing public-houses, but the result was that the question to a certain extent was left open; at the same time an anticipation was created that legislation on the general subject would take place. Certain hon. Gentlemen, as you are aware, have proposed to legislate on branches of this subject, particularly on the important point connected with beer-houses; but Her Majesty's Government have not any intention of bringing in a Bill to deal with the question at large. There are some points which I do not consider as being included in the question of my noble Friend; for instance, all matters referring to the sale of liquors not to be consumed on the premises, I consider that it is open to the Government 1841 at any period to deal with; and, again, with respect to all questions of local restraint and regulations, I do not intend that my answer should apply. If, as I trust may be the case, the House should adopt, on the proposal of the Government, some plan for the extension of the sale of wine to eating-houses, under proper regulations, I think a very important experiment in connection with the tastes, habits, and moral and social well-being of the country will have been made. It appears to me that this experiment will require some little time to elapse before any judgment can be formed of its results; and the Government will not interfere with the course of that experiment till they have arrived at some satisfactory conclusion.
§ SIR CHARLES BURRELLsaid, he wished to ask whether, in the extension of the system of selling Liquor and Beer, it is the intention of the Government to go back to the old plan of allowing Grocers and others to sell Beer of a lower quality to the labouring classes? It was formerly allowed to be done to their great benefit.
§ THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUERThe Government has no intention whatever of making any proposal as to the consumption of beer on the premises. The proposition is limited to the sale of wine: as to the sale of beer no proposition or suggestion will be made.
§ SIR CHARLES BURRELLsaid, he must beg to explain that the time he referred to, the beer was not drunk on the premises, but taken away by the labouring classes in jugs and bottles.