§ MR. WHITWORTHasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, Whether his attention has been called to the fact that it has been the practice in certain boroughs and cities, such as Sheffield and Norwich, for the magistrates to grant an extension of hours for the sale of intoxicating liquors, during the whole or part of the Christmas week, to all publicans applying for the same, and without regard to the position and neighbourhood of the public houses; whether it is necessary for the applicants to apply separately for an extension, under the twenty-ninth section of the 35th and 36th Vic. c. 94; and, whether Christmas week is a "special occasion," under the said section, justifying the magistrates in granting general extension to all publicans?
§ MR. DODSONSir, the attention of the Secretary of State has not been called to the matter referred to; and he has not had the opportunity of considering what the true interpretation of the Statute may be in regard to the various legal points raised.