HC Deb 12 May 1892 vol 4 cc715-6
MR. JOHNSTON (Belfast, S.)

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if his attention has been called to handbills issued by Mrs. E. Holterman, 54, Gold Street, Stepney, offering malt liquors for sale, and stating that "a present will be given to every child purchasing beer on Saturday, 7th May, 1892;" and whether such an offer is legal, or can be lawfully prohibited?

MR. CONYBEARE

Before he answers that question, may I ask the right hon. Gentleman a question of which I have given him private notice? Is he aware of the extent to which the practice prevails amongst licensed victuallers both in London and in the provinces of enticing young children into their public-houses by giving them sweets and other bribes; and whether such practice is an infringement of the law; and, if so, will he instruct the police to take steps to bring the offenders to justice?

MR. MATTHEWS

In answer to the first question my attention has been called to the matter, and although I am advised the offer is not illegal the Commissioner of Police has given directions for the matter to be brought to the attention of the Licensing Justices. My answer to the second question is that the Commissioner of Police is not aware that the practice prevails to any extent; but any case of the kind brought to his notice will be placed before the Licensing Authorities.

MR. CONYBEARE

I should like to ask whether the right hon. Gentleman will give me the opportunity of proving cases, and also whether he can see his way to grant a Select Committee on the practice of the Act passed in 1886 dealing with this matter? I shall be prepared to supply ample evidence of the existence of the state of things to which I have referred.

MR. MATTHEWS

If the hon. Member will forward any evidence he has to the Commissioner of Police he will act upon it.

MR. CONYBEARE

It is impossible to obtain evidence in every case; but I would ask the right hon. Gentleman whether it would not be possible, considering the evidence we have, to instruct the police to open their eyes to this—I was going to say villany—but I will say this practice, and to prevent anything of the kind being done? They have the entrée to the public-houses.

MR. SPEAKER

Order, order!