HC Deb 26 March 1889 vol 334 cc831-2
MR. MACLURE (Lancashire, S.E. Stretford)

asked the Under Secretary of State for the Home Department whether any Justice of the Peace, being a shareholder in a railway or other company having licensed premises within the county, city, or borough for which he acts, was disqualified from sitting as a magistrate at licensing sessions, and liable to penalties for so doing?

THE UNDER SECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE HOME DEPARTMENT (Mr. STUART WORTLEY,) Sheffield, Hallam

The Secretary of State has no authority to give an opinion on a point of law. I can only refer my hon. Friend to the 60th section of 35 & 36 Vict., c. 94; but, assuming that the words in the question "having licensed premises" mean being "a retailer of intoxicating liquors," the answer, as I am advised, would seem to be in the affirmative.