HC Deb 13 August 1889 vol 339 cc1133-4
MR. MACLUEE (Lancashire, S.E., Stretford)

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he is aware that the Clerks to Justices of the city of Manchester in summoning a meeting of the Justices to appoint a Committee under the 38th Section of "The Licensing Act, 1872," and for other business connected with the approaching Brewster Sessions, have appended the following notice: — N.B.—We desire to call the attention of the Justices to the. interpretation of the Licensing Law, as given by the Law Officers of the Crown, which is in effect that no person can act as a Licensing Justice who is a shareholder in any Company (Railway or otherwise) which is a retailer of any Intoxicating Liquor in the Licensing District for which he acts or in the adjoining district. Whether, in fact, a railway shareholder in a company having licensed premises in the county or city or the adjoining county, city, or borough for which he acts, and who may sign an occasional license, or act at any sessions for transfer of licenses, or for other purposes under the Licensing Act except as to fining for drunkenness or breach of the Licensing Laws, is liable to a penalty of £100; and, whether, in the event of the Railway Shareholders (Licensing Sessions) Bill being withdrawn, owing to the late period of the Session, the Government will bring in a Bill next Session to relieve shareholders in railway and other companies from the disqualification and penalties for acting as Justices at Licensing Sessions?

THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE HOME DEPAETMENT (Mr. MATTHEWS, Birmingham, E.)

I have no information as to the facts stated in the first paragraph of my hon. Friend's question. As to the second paragraph, I am advised that a railway shareholder in a company having licensed premises in the places described is disqualified from acting as justice in the places in any cases but those excepted in Section 60 of the Licensing Act of 1872; and if he acts knowingly he appears to be liable to a penalty. As to the third paragraph, the Government will consider the suggestion of my hon. Friend; but he must excuse me from giving a pledge as to legislation next Session.