§ SIR W. WEDDERBURN (Banffshire)I beg to ask the Lord Advocate whether he is aware that the Ross-shire justices of the peace have again this year overruled the decision of the local licensing authorities who refused to license places for the sale of drink in Stornoway; whether he is also aware that the allegation that such licences were, required by the fishermen and fish curers who temporarily inhabit Stornoway has been repudiated by a meeting of these persons; and whether, under these circumstances, he can take any steps to give effect to the wishes of the local justices and the residents of Stornoway, both permanent and temporary?
§ THE LORD ADVOCATE (Mr. GRAHAM MURRAY, Buteshire)The answer to the first paragraph of the Question is in the affirmative. The majority sustaining the appeal was 22 to 9. In reply to the second paragraph, I am informed by the presiding magistrate that he was not aware of any such allegation, nor was the decision influenced by such consideration. I am informed that the grounds of the decision were these: (1) It was proved that there was already insufficient accommodation for a large section of the population (permanent or temporary) which desired to make use of the bars; (2) under the present licensing laws a majority of the public, even if ascertained, has no power to prevent the proper demands of the minority from obtaining satisfaction; (3) the police certified that the Stornoway drinking bars were properly conducted; (4) the alternative proposed by the Stornoway justices, to limit the size of the bars (already too small for the demand), was open to obvious objections I can take no steps to interfere with the duly exercised discretion of the justices of the peace for Ross and Cromarty.
§ SIR W. LAWSON (Cumberland, Cockermouth)Arising out of the answer may I ask if it is not the law that the licensing authorities shall have absolute discretion, and that it does not depend on what is said or done by the public?
§ MR. GRAHAM MURRAYI believe, there is no difference between the law in Ross-shire and that in any other county, and probably nobody is better aware what that law is than the honourable Baronet himself.