§ MR. HOZIER (Lanark, S.)I bog to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he has granted, or is about to grant, a licence for the establishment of a magazine for explosives at Auchintibber, in the Parish of Blantyre, Lanarkshire; and, if so, whether it is usual for the Home Office to override the unanimous decision of the Local Authority upon the subject?
§ THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE HOME DEPARTMENT (Mr. ASQUITH,) Fife, E.Yes; intimation has been given to the applicants for a licence for a magazine at Auchiutibber, in the Parish of Blautyre in Lanarkshire, that the Secretary of State will be prepared, on the magazine being established in strict conformity with the draft licence, to confirm such licence, notwithstanding the refusal of the Local Authority. The question was brought up before me on appeal by the applicants under the 8th section of the Explosives Act against the refusal of their assent by the Local Authority 1306 to the establishment of the magazine. The appeal, together with the reasons given by the Local Authority, were carefully considered by me and my technical advisers, with the result above stated. There have been a number of appeals to the Secretary of State from the decisions of Local Authorities since the Act came into operation, of which some have been allowed and others disallowed.
§ MR. HOZIERAm I to understand this is the usual course?
§ MR. ASQUITHIt is a statutory right.