§ MR. WILLIAM ALLEN (Newcastle-under-Lyme)I beg to ask the First Lord of the Treasury when the Commission to inquire into the tied-house system will be appointed?
§ THE FIRST LORD OF THE TREASURYThe hon. Member is probably not aware that I told the House the other night that the Government see no objection to a Committee of Inquiry provided the various parties interested can arrive at some agreement as to the terms of reference. I hope such an agreement will be come to, but I understand it has not been come to yet.
§ MR. ALLENWill this Inquiry go into the whole licensing question, or will it be confined to that of tied houses?
§ THE FIRST LORD OF THE TREASURYThe hon. Gentleman will see that that depends upon the terms of reference that may be agreed upon.
§ MR. LEONARD COURTNEY (Bodmin)Then are we to understand that the Government are willing to allow the reference to extend to the whole licensing question if such reference can be formulated?
§ THE FIRST LORD OF THE TREASURYYes, Sir. I do not think any objection will be raised by the Government.