§ MR. JOSEPH PEASE (Northumberland, Tyneside)I beg to ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether cases have occurred in which the full, or any, penalty, has been paid to the Excise by licensed victuallers for adding water to beer, without conviction being recorded against such licensed victuallers 1029 for such offence; and, if so, how many cases have occurred during each of the last four years?
§ THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUER (Sir W. HARCOURT,) DerbyYes; in the following number of cases:—1889, 12 cases, penalties received, £340; 1890, 44 cases, penalties received, £1,684; 1891, 55 cases, penalties received, £2,095; 1892, 48 cases, penalties received, £1,405.
§ MR. J. PEASEMay I task the right hon. Gentleman whether he will, in future, prevent the more wealthy licensed victuallers thus escaping conviction by paying a penalty of £50 or less?
§ SIR W. HARCOURTI will consider that matter.