§ MR. ALLISON (Cumberland, Eskdale)asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, If his attention had been called to a report of a case at the Licensing Sessions in Wolverhampton, at which it appeared that a licence was granted to a Mr. White for a house on land sold to him by the Corporation; that the Corporation had previously agreed to support the application for the said licence, and to give a pledge to the Bench that an old and inoperative licence should be destroyed, on consideration of the payment by Mr. White 1237 of £100 for such support; that, on the Bench granting such licence, were the Chairman and ex-Chairman of the Public Works Committee, which had recommended the Corporation to support the application, which was granted, notwithstanding it was strongly opposed by ratepayers and owners of property in the locality; and that a majority of the Bench granting such licence were members of the Corporation; and, whether, in the light of these facts, he is prepared to take any action with a view to the vindication of the law by which interested parties are legally ineligible to consider applications for licences?
§ THE SECRETARY OF STATE (Mr. MATTHEWS) (Birmingham, E.)I am informed that such a licence was granted to Mr. White, and such an agreement was made by the Corporation; but it is not correct to say that an old and inoperative licence was to be destroyed. The licence was actually in existence, and had recently been renewed. The Bench considered that the opposition to the grant of a licence was outweighed by the Petitions, influentially and numerously signed, presented on behalf of the applicant. No objection was taken to the constitution of the Bench, either at the original grant or at the confirmation of the licence. Five members of the Corporation voted against the confirmation and three in its favour. The Chairman and ex-Chairman of the Works Committee were present at both hearings; but, as they had no beneficial interest in the premises, or the profits thereof, it does not seem to me that they were disqualified. If the hon. Member considers that they acted improperly the proper course for him is to make a representation to the Lord Chancellor on the subject.