§ MR. SUMMERSI bog to ask the Attorney General whether his attention has been drawn to the fact that the number of "tied houses" in this country is constantly increasing; whether he is aware that the leases of such "tied houses" contain a clause providing that the lessee shall
have and purchase of and from the lesson and of and from no other person or persons, all the beer, ale, table beer, and cider;and whether there is anything illegal in such a clause, as being in restraint of trade; and, if not, whether there is an implied contract that the "beer, ale, table beer," &c., shall be of good quality, and shall be supplied at a reasonable price?
§ THE ATTORNEY GENERAL (Sir R. WEBSTER,) Isle of WightI am not aware that the number of "tied houses" is increasing, as suggested in the question of the hon. Member. There is, in my opinion, nothing illegal in such a clause as that referred to in the second paragraph of the question. A condition that the beer and ale and table beer should be of good quality would, in the absence of express stipulation, be implied, but the price must depend upon the special bargain in each case.