§ MR. CAINE (Barrow-in-Furness)asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, If he is aware that at the weekly petty sessions at Kingston on Thames, on the 14th instant, Sergeant Crook, of the Surrey Constabulary, applied for an extension of time for the 1889 sale of liquor on behalf of the "Bear" public house, and the "White Lion," at Cobham, and that the magistrates granted both the applications at the request of the sergeant, without either of the holders of the licences being present; and, if he will take steps to prevent such applications in future?
§ THE SECRETARY OF STATE (Mr. MATTHEWS) (Birmingham, E.)I have obtained a report from the clerk to the justices pointing out that the law does not compel publicans to apply personally for an extension of hours; and that being so, it does not appear that there has been any infraction of the licensing law. I have no authority to lay down the law in the matter; but I certainly think it would be better if these applications were not made by the police.