§ MR. AGG-GARDNER(for Sir EDMUND LECHMERE) (Cheltenham)asked Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer, Whether, looking to the falling off the Revenue arising from the Excise, he will place political and private clubs upon the same footing, in reference to the Excise, as public houses?
§ THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUER (Sir WILLIAM HARCOURT) (Derby), in reply, said, that the falling-off in the Excise Revenue had arisen from a smaller comsumption of alcoholic drinks, and not from the slight decrease which had taken place in the issue of licences. As to the putting on of additional licences, as suggested in the hon. Gentleman's Question, whatever other effect it might have, it would not tend to increase the consumption of alcoholic drinks, which, whatever else might be the case, would be that which would increase the Revenue.