§ MR. T. FRY (Darlington)asked the President of the Local Government Board, If he has formed an Estimate of the total value which the vested interest of the liquor trade would amount to in case the "Compensation Clause" in the Local Government Bill became law; and, if not, if he will furnish the House with such information before the Licensing Clauses are reached in Committee?
§ THE PRESIDENT (Mr. RITCHIE) (Tower Hamlets, St. George's)I have not attempted to form any Estimate of the total value which the vested interest of the liquor trade would amount to in case the Compensation Clauses of the Local Government Bill became law; neither does it appear to me that if it were possible to make anything like an approximate Estimate—and I think that it would be impossible—it would be of any practical value. The compensation will only be payable in the particular cases in which renewal of a licence is refused; and it is only in those cases that the question of the value for the purpose of compensation will arise.