§ SIR LAWRENCE PALKasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, If he will name a day for the consideration of the Licensing Bill; if he is aware that it has been calculated that no less than £100,000,000 are invested in the Liquor Trade, and that if the Licensing Bill passes into Law that capital will be depreciated to the amount of £40 per cent; and, whether he intends to persevere with that portion of the Bill?
MR. BRUCEI wish, Sir, it were in my power to give a more specific answer to the first Question of the hon. Baronet than I have been able to give to hon. Members who have asked it on the last three or four days; but it is quite impos- 45 sible for me to fix a day for the second reading. With reference to the second part of the Question, I have seen statements made that the capital invested in the liquor trade exceeded even the amount named. I have no doubt whatever that any measure which has for its object the reduction of drunkenness and of excess in the use of liquors must have some effect upon this trade, and I have also no doubt that delay and uncertainty with respect to legislation on this question must operate prejudicially to the capital invested in it; but I can assure the hon. Baronet, on the part of the Government, that there is no desire to inflict upon those engaged in it any injury beyond that which is absolutely necessary in securing the great public object which we all have at heart. With regard to the last part of the Question, all I have to say is that, in accordance with the assurance I gave the House when I introduced the Bill, I will most carefully consider all suggestions for the improvement of it; but I am not at present prepared to say what changes I can make in it.