§ SIR CAMERON GULL (Devon, Barnstaple)I beg to ask the First Lord of the Treasury whether, having regard to the frequent instances in which persons in a state of intoxication are landed from excursion steamers, and to the fact that the Licensing Act of 1872 does not apply to the licences granted to such steamers, and that there are no provisions in the Act under which such licences are granted dealing with the sale of drink to intoxicated persons, Her Majesty's Government will introduce a Measure to put the sale of intoxicants on these vessels on a more satisfactory footing?
§ SIR MATTHEW WHITE RIDLEYI agree with the hon. Baronet that the law on this subject is in an unsatisfactory state, and I think a strong case can be made out for fresh legislation. He will see, however, that the Government would have some difficulty in proposing any amendment of the licensing laws until the Royal Commission has reported; the most that I can do at present is to bring the matter specially to their notice.
§ SIR WILFRED LAWSON (Cumberland, Cockermouth)Might I ask whether there is any legal definition of drunkenness?
§ SIR MATTHEW WHITE RIDLEYI think that hardly arises out of the present Question.