§ SIR HARCOURT JOHNSTONEasked Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer, Whether Working Men's Clubs will in future have any security against prosecution by the Excise, such as that which lately failed in the case of the Surrey Club?
§ THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUERsaid, in reply, that the prosecution to which the hon. Baronet referred took place at the suggestion of the police, who appeared to show a primâ facie case against the Surrey Club, but which was satisfactorily met by the club. He could not hold out the hope that anything would really be done that would prevent the possibility of proceedings being taken by the Excise against persons not guilty of the offences with which they were charged.
§ SIR HARCOURT JOHNSTONEsaid, that as the right hon. Gentleman's answer was unsatisfactory, he would take an early opportunity of bringing the subject under the Notice of the House.