§ MR. A. THOMAS (Glamorgan, E.)asked the Secretary of State for the 240 Home Department, Whether his attention has been directed to the fact that in the case of certain appeals from the decision of the Cardiff Stipendiary and other Borough Police Magistrates, with reference to Bogus Clubs, it had been reversed by five Glamorganshire County Magistrates at the last Quarter Sessions, who, while allowing the appeals with costs, threw the onus of proof of bona fides upon the prosecution contrary to to law, notwithstanding a decision of the Queen's Bench Division to the contrary, and refused to state a case for the opinion of the Court, either upon the point of law raised, or find as a fact, and refuse to state whether they found the Clubs in question were bonâ fide or not bonâ fide; and, whether he will cause an inquiry to be made into all the circumstances of the case?
§ MR. ADDISON (Ashton-under-Lyne)Before the right hon. Gentleman answers the Question, I wish to ask whether his attention has been called to the great increase in the number of Bogus Clubs for the sale of intoxicating liquors in Cardiff, and to the consequent increase of disorder and drunkenness?
§ THE SECRETARY OF STATE (Mr. MATTHEWS) (Birmingham, E.)Immediately I received Notice of this Question from the hon. Member (Mr. Thomas) I communicated with the Chairman of Quarter Sessions at Cardiff, and I have not yet received any reply from him. I have heard that the number of these Bogus Clubs has increased; but as my information is not very definite, I cannot say to what extent.
§ SIR WILFRID LAWSON (Cumberland, Cockermouth)Has the right hon. Gentleman any information to the effect that recently these Clubs are being rapidly rooted out of Cardiff?
§ MR. MATTHEWSNo Sir; I have not heard.