DR. CAMERONasked the Lord Advocate, Whether it is true that, at the Dumfries Burgh Licensing Court, held on 21st April, Samuel Rodwell was refused a public-house certificate for the Ship Inn, on the ground that he was 398 under twenty-one years of age; whether any certificate authorising the Excise to grant a license is held by any person in respect of the Ship Inn; whether any licence has been granted by the Excise authorities in respect of the Ship Inn; and, if so, on what certificate; whether the Ship Inn is kept open for the sale of exciseable liquors as if legally licensed; and, if it is not licensed, why the Crown authorities have connived at this breach of the Law?
§ MR. COURTNEY, who replied, said, the facts were as stated by the hon. Member; but, on the assurance of the licensing magistrates that they would grant the necessary certificate at the next half-yearly meeting, the Commissioners of Inland Revenue had decided not to interfere. There was no legal difficulty in the matter.
THE LORD ADVOCATE (Mr. J. B. BALFOUR)said, he had asked for particulars, but had not yet received them.
DR. CAMERONgave Notice that he should repeat the Question; and meantime he would ask the Secretary to the Treasury, Whether he was aware of an Act of Parliament which rendered an official of the Customs who allowed persons to sell liquor without a licence liable to a heavy penalty, and to disqualification from office?
§ MR. COURTNEYsaid, what he was told was that there was no statutory penalty in the matter.