MR. J. WILSON (Durham)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he is aware that the legal adviser to the licensed victuallers in the Borough of Tynemouth has been elected a member of the Watch Committee of the Corporation of that borough; and, whether such election is consistent with Sub-section (3), Section 22, of the Municipal Incorporation Act, 1882, which says:—
A member of the Council shall not vote on or take part in the discussion of any matter before the Council or a Committee m which he has directly or indirectly, by himself or his partners, a pecuniary interest?
§ THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE HOME DEPARTMENT (Mr. H. H. ASQUITH,) Fife, E.I have made inquiries in this matter, with the result that there appears to be no evidence that the gentleman in question can be called "legal adviser to the licensed victuallers of Tynemouth" beyond the fact that since his appointment to the Watch Committee he has frequently appeared before the Borough Magistrates in defence of publicans charged with offences against the Licensing Laws. I have not sufficient knowledge of the facts to say whether the section quoted by my hon. Friend has been violated. It is to be observed that that section does not invalidate the election of a Councillor, but merely disables him from discussing or voting upon certain questions. I feel bound, however, to say that it seems very undesirable that a member of the Watch Committee should also act as advocate in the kind of cases referred to.