HC Deb 09 May 1899 vol 71 cc152-3
MR. EDMUND ROBERTSON (Dundee)

I beg to ask Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer whether his attention has been called to the financial results of the system known as the high licence system in the United States; and whether he will cause an investigation to be made by the officers of his Department, with the view of estimating approximately what would be the financial effect of the adoption in this country of the same or some similar system, whereby the duties on licences for the sale of intoxicating liquors shall be made to correspond more nearly to the value of such licences.

* THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUER (Sir M. HICKS-BEACH,) Bristol, W.

Evidence on this subject has been given before the Licensing Commission, and pending the Report of that Commission it is not desirable to institute independent inquiries as to particular points connected with the Licensing Laws.

MR. EDMUND ROBERTSON

Has the evidence to which the right hon. Gentleman refers been published?

* SIR M. HICKS-BEACH

Yes, sir.