HC Deb 10 February 1876 vol 227 cc199-200

Considered in Committee.

(In the Committee.)

SIR HARCOURT JOHNSTONE

moved that the Chairman be directed to move the House, that leave be given to bring in a Bill to amend the Licensing Laws.

An hon. MEMBER

What Licensing Laws?

SIR HARCOURT JOHNSTONE

said, those affecting publicans and grocers. His Bill, which was a very modest one, consisted of three clauses only, and if it received the support of the Government he looked with confidence to its becoming law. This object of the measure was to suspend the issue of all fresh publicans' licences within certain limits of population, from 500 in towns and populous places, to 300 in rural parishes, and to suspend the issue of 'grocers' licences altogether from the present time. If, as already stated, he received assistance from Her Majesty's Government there would not be much difficulty in carrying the Bill.

Motion agreed to. Resolved, That the Chairman he directed to move the House, that leave he given to bring in a Bill to amend the Licensing Laws. Resolution reported:—Bill ordered to he brought in by Sir HARCOURT JOHNSTONE, Mr. BIRLEY, Mr. PEASE, and Mr. BELL. Bill presented, and read the first time. [Bill 56.]