§ SIR WILFRID LAWSON (Cumberland, Cockermouth)I beg to ask the Secretary to the Treasury (1) whether the Excise authorities have granted a new licence for a public house at 3, George Street, Paisley, without giving an opportunity for the hearing of objections; and (2) whether a renewal of the licences to the "Globe" and the "County" having been refused by the Special Sessions of the Licensing Court, and the refusal upheld on appeal, for what reason the Excise authorities have since granted licences to these two hotels?
§ MR. HANBURYThe facts of the case mentioned in the first part of the hon. Member's question are as follows:—The publican referred to in the first paragraph had for more than eight years held a licence at 18, High Street, Paisley. In March last he applied to the Licensing Magistrates for a renewal of his Publican's Certificate, which was granted. In April, the owner of the premises, who had acquired them towards the end of last year, gave him notice to quit with the intention of pulling down the house. The publican then removed to 3, George Street, but by that time it was too late to apply for a certificate for his new premises. He thereupon petitioned the Board of Inland Revenue to permit him to carry on the sale of exciseable liquors, until the next licensing Court in October, pointing out the great loss and damage which he would otherwise sustain. This petition came before the Magistrates, 98 who concurred in his request, recommending the Board to allow the sale to go on, and undertaking to grant a certificate for the premises at the next licensing Court. In these circumstances the Board consented to instruct their officers not to interfere with the sale of liquor on these premises until the next licensing sittings. In the two other cases mentioned the action of the Board has been the same, although the circumstances are somewhat different. In each case a seven-day Hotel licence was held, and at the last licensing Court application was made, in the ordinary way, for renewal. The applications were refused, and the refusal was confirmed on appeal; the Magistrates intimated that they would have no objection to grant a six-day licence, if application were made, but by the time the case was decided it was too late to make application, and the matter cannot formally come before the Magistrates till their next licensing Court in October. On the petition of the hotel keepers, supported by the unanimous and pressing recommendation of the Magistrates, who undertook to grant the licences at the next licensing Court, the Board have instructed their officers not to interfere with the sale of liquor under the conditions of a six-day licence on these premises till the Magistrates next sit as a licensing Court.