MR. B. N. FOWLER (LORD MAYOR)asked Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer, Whether there are cases in the City of London of merchants who, having taken out licences for dealing in wines and spirits, have continued to deal in them 454 after those licences have expired, until detected by the officers of the Inland Revenue; and, if so, why no prosecutions have been instituted?
§ THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUER (Mr. CHILDERS)Yes, Sir; I believe the right hon. Gentleman refers to the case of a foreigner who was detected selling wines and spirits without licence, although he had held a wine and spirit licence for other premises. He paid a fine of £50, with which the Board of Inland Revenue were satisfied. It has not been the rule to institute a public prosecution in all cases, and some discretion in this respect must be, I think, left to the Board.