HC Deb 09 May 1892 vol 4 cc365-7
SIR W. LAWSON (Cumberland, Cockermouth)

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether his attention has been called to the notices issued to the Volunteers attending the Easter Manœuvres in Chatham last month, stating— Volunteers in uniform will be made honorary members of the following Clubs during their visit on furnishing their names and rank to the respective Secretaries: Liberal Club, Castle Hill, Rochester; Conservative Club, Star Hill, Rochester; Workmen's Institute, Chatham; Reform Club, Military Road, Chatham"; whether he is aware that large numbers of Volunteers entered the said Clubs, and were supplied with intoxicants, in many cases without giving any name or address; and whether the action of the said Clubs is a violation of the laws regulating the sale of intoxicating liquors?

MR. MATTHEWS

Even assuming the facts to be as stated in the question, I am unable to see that there has been any violation of the law in reference to the sale of intoxicating liquors.

SIR W. LAWSON

Are these Clubs allowed to sell to anyone?

MR. MATTHEWS

The question states, and I believe accurately, that Volunteers were made honorary members of the Clubs. That was undoubtedly a bonâ fide proceeding in this case. These honorary members are as much entitled to buy intoxicating liquors as are members of the Diplomatic Corps to buy a bottle of wine at the Athenæum.

MR. WEBSTER

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether he is aware that there are a large number of quasi Clubs in London where the entrance fee is purely nominal, and where the members entering are practically elected by the hall porter? Has the right hon. Gentleman any information as to these Clubs, and, in the interests of temperance, will he cause inquiry to be made?

MR. WINTERBOTHAM

Did the right hon. Gentleman quite grasp the fact that these honorary members were admitted without their names being submitted as honorary members? and does he really mean to compare that with the action of the Athenæum or any other London Clubs?

MR. MATTHEWS

Certainly the Volunteers in the Clubs were in uniform. I do not think it is within the range of practical possibility that a toper should provide himself with a uniform in order to get drink.

MR. MORTON (Peterborough)

Is it possible for persons to be made honorary members of a Club without their names being inscribed in the books in some way?

MR. MATTHEWS

That is a question for the secretary of the Club.

MR. LABOUCHERE (Northampton)

Is it possible for any of these small Clubs to make the whole British Army members?

MR. MATTHEWS

I tried in my original answer to draw a distinction between a bonâ fide Club and nominal membership of bogus Clubs, such as those referred to by my hon. Friend behind me. The distinction is one of fact, and in some cases may not be very easy to draw, but in this case the Clubs were really within their right.

MR. WEBSTER

Has the right hon. Gentleman any means of inquiry as to the number of bogus Clubs at present existing in London?

MR. MATTHEWS

I have at various times made inquiry not only in London, but in other parts of the country. If the hon. Member will supply me with a satisfactory definition of bogus Clubs, I shall be extremely grateful to him.

SIR W. LAWSON

Would policemen in uniform be allowed to become honorary members?

[No answer was given.]