§ MR. DAVID THOMASI beg to ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he can state the amount of revenue directly derived in each of the last five financial years front the issue of what are commonly called "Grocers' Licences," and whether, in view of the strong feeling throughout the country among temperance reformers and others against these licences, he will consider the advisability of abolishing them.
§ THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQU.ER (Sir W. HARCOURT,) DerbyGrocers' Licences, properly so called, are issued only in Scotland and Ireland. The average amount for the last five years has been about £43,000 for those countries. In England, licences to grocers are not distinguished from other licences to retail beer, spirits, and wine, issued to retailers not publicans. The receipt front these licences was for the five years in question: 1887–88, £110,947; 1888–89,£113,554; 1889–90, £117,155; 1890–91, £121,135;1891–92, £123,685. A statement of my intentions, as regards these licences, will, I think, be more appropriately made when I introduce the Bill dealing with the Liquor Traffic, notice of which stands on the Paper in my name.