§ MR. LENG (Dundee)I beg to ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, in arranging for the compensation of publicans deprived of licences, he will apply the principle of "betterment" by establishing a compensation fund, to which shall be contributed, either by increased Licence Duties or direct payments, an equivalent of the augmented value of the property and business of the publicans remaining licensed and possessed of a fixed monopoly of the trade?
§ *THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUER (Mr. GOSCHEN,) St. George's, Hanover SquareI must point out to the hon. Gentleman that the duty of the Chancellor of the Exchequer is really confined to devising means; the licensing question will be in the hands of my right hon. Friend the President of the Local Government Board. The Government are hastening on as best they can the preparation of a measure on this subject; and therefore it will be better to refer the hon. Member to the provisions of that measure when it is produced, rather than to give explanations across the floor of the House.
§ SIR W. LAWSON (Cumberland, Cockermouth)Can the right hon. Gentleman give the House any idea when the Bill dealing with this matter will be ready?
§ *MR. GOSCHENProbably in the course of the next three or four days.