§ MR. CHAMBERLAINasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, Whether his attention has been called to the extraordinary increase which has recently taken place in the number of applications for licences to sell beer off the premises by persons who have previously obtained strong beer dealers' licences from the Excise; whether he is aware that at Birmingham, whore up to August in last year the number of such licences was only 16, and these were all issued to legitimate wholesale traders, there have since been 100 new applications on behalf of persons in various occupations and employment, including mechanics, engine drivers, shopkeepers, commercial travellers, manufacturers, builders, and others; and, whether, considering that the justices under the existing law have no power to refuse such applications, and that consequently the facilities for the sale of intoxicating liquors are being increased in Birmingham and elsewhere without any regard to the requirements or the wishes of the population, he will be willing to introduce legislation dealing with the subject, and in any case giving to the licensing justices the same discretion with regard to granting of new licences to sell off the premises, and for "sweets," as they already possess with regard to new licences to sell for consumption on the premises?
MR. ASSHETON CROSSMy attention has been called by a very large number of Benches of Magistrates in almost all parts of the country to the subject of this Question. I was not aware of the exact particulars as to the town of Birmingham; but I am aware that there is a very growing feeling upon this matter, and that the increase 1445 in the number of these places is very large. I may remind the House that my hon. Friend the Under Secretary of State for the Home Department (Sir Henry Selwin-Ibbetson) some years ago inserted a clause in a Bill which was before this House, dealing with this matter; but it was, at the instance, I believe, of the late Prime Minister, struck out of the Bill at a subsequent stage. No doubt there is some difficulty in dealing with the Question, for fear of creating a new monopoly in certain places. The whole matter is well worthy of the consideration of the Government; and when we have received the Report of the House of Lords Select Committee on Intemperance and further information with regard to grocers' licences in Scotland, it is a matter which must really obtain the attention of the House.