MR. A. THOMAS (Glamorgan, E.)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether his attention has been called to a report in the South Wales Daily News, of the 29th June, in which it is stated that a certain Magistrate residing near Pontypridd is in the habit of granting occasional licences for the sale of intoxicants, though applications for such licences have been refused when applied for in open Court; and whether it is lawful for him to grant licences under those conditions?
§ MR. MATTHEWSI have not seen the newspaper referred to by the hon. Member. I have no information that the Magistrate in question is in the habit of granting occasional licences. He did, I believe, on two occasions grant such a licence, not being aware that on one of those occasions it had been previously refused at Petty Sessions. I am advised that his action was lawful under the provisions of the 26 & 27 Vic., c. 33.