LICENSING EXEMPTION (HOUSES OF PARLIAMENT) BILL. (Hansard, 12 March 1897)

§ THE ATTORNEY GENERAL (Sir RICHARD WEBSTER,) Isle of Wight

said he would ask the indulgence of the House to make a few remarks in the nature of a personal explanation on behalf of the Kitchen Committee and himself in regard to this Measure. He was quite sure the House Would be willing that the hon. Baronet the Member for the Cockermouth Division should state his objections to the Bill at any reasonable length even after Twelve o'clock. He felt, however, that it was unfair that the hon. Baronet, being unwilling to state his objections in that House, should write letters to the papers attacking the Kitchen Committee for their action in reference to this matter. This Bill was not in any sense a Party Measure, and was backed by representative Members from every part of the House. The Kitchen Committee at the beginning of the present Session considered the matter, and passed three resolutions, which he would venture to read. They were as follows:— That, in the opinion of the Committee, the supply of wines and spirits as carried on for a great many years in the Palace of Westminster is for the convenience of the Members of the House and of the public who are called to attend as witnesses on Committees and on other matters of business. That a restriction of the sale of wine and spirits to Members of the House would not be practicable or for the convenience of those who are called upon to attend at various hours of the day or night. 648 That the restrictions and conditions imposed by the ordinary licences and under the Licensing and Excise Acts are wholly inapplicable to the circumstances under which refreshments must be supplied in the precincts of the House. It was upon those Resolutions being submitted to him that he assisted the Kitchen Committee in drafting this Bill; yet the hon. Baronet opposite had, on more than one occasion, stated in the Press, not in that House, that this Bill was brought in simply for the personal comfort of a portion of the Members of the House. That allegation was without foundation. If it were simply for the convenience of Members of the House no Bill would be necessary. It was because the public and others had to have these refreshments that a Bill was necessary. With regard to the attack made upon himself as a member of the Church of England Temperance Society, he did not choose to say a single word; but he thought it was scarcely fair to the Kitchen Committee that, instead of stating his objections where they could be answered, the hon. Baronet should see fit to indulge in these attacks.

§ SIR WILFRID LAWSON (Cumberland, Cockermouth)

said he was astonished to hear what had fallen from the hon. and learned Gentleman. He had made no attack upon him as a member of the Church of England Society. It was the best thing that he knew about him. [Laughter.] But after what he had stated it became more important than ever that they should have a proper discussion on this Bill. As he understood it, the Bill was not confined to Members of that House, but would make that House a licensed house for all-comers. As long as the House was sitting people could come to it from all parts of the town in order to finish up the night with a booze. [Laughter.] He objected to the Bill being taken at that time of the night. If it was an important Bill, of course it ought to be discussed at a proper time; if it was not important, he should still oppose it.