§ MR. D. THOMASI beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he is aware of the inconvenience caused to licensed victuallers and their customers by a recent decision that the sale of beer by retail in the measure known as the" blue," commonly in use in South Wales, is illegal; whether he will introduce a short Bill this Session to amend"The Licensing Act, 1872," in order to legalise the" blue," and so remove the inconvenience; and if not, whether the Government will afford facilities for the passage of such a Bill introduced by a Private Member?
§ THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOE THE HOME DEPARTMENT (Mr. MATTHEWS,) Birmingham, E.No representation on this subject has reached me. I understand that my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade recently informed a deputation that waited upon him that there were objections to legalising the"blue." A measure of similar capacity was once legal, but was abolished, as it was found to tend to fraud. The Government will not assist in promoting legislation for this object.