HC Deb 19 February 1883 vol 276 cc312-3
SIR WILFRID LAWSON

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, What steps the Government propose to take for giving effect to the Resolution which has been adopted and reaffirmed by this House, to the effect that the inhabitants of localities should be empowered to restrain the issue or renewal of licences in their respective districts?

SIR WILLIAM HARCOURT

The hon. Member for Carlisle wants to know a little too much a little too soon. The only answer I can give upon that subject is that when the Government bring forward measures with reference to local government, they propose to deal with the question of licensing as a question of local government.

SIR WILFRID LAWSON

Does the right hon. and learned Gentleman refer to the Bill for London or a Bill for the whole country?

SIR WILLIAM HARCOURT

It is premature to refer to the Bill for London. I have spoken generally. The Bill for London is a part of the proposal which the Government have to make on the subject of local government, and all I can tell my hon. Friend for the present is that the Government do regard this question of licensing as essentially a question of local government.