MR. BRYN ROBERTSI beg to ask Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that the excise officer at Criccieth attends once a year at Garn Dolbenmaen for the purpose of issuing dog licences, and uses a public-house in the village for the purpose, although there are plenty of rooms available unconnected with public-houses; and whether he will give instructions to the officer in question to use a room in a private house, so as to obviate the necessity of requiring the public to attend at a public-house.
§ THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUER (SIR M. HICKS BEACH,) Bristol, W.For the convenience of the farmers and shepherds in the neighbourhood, the officer at Criccieth attends at Garn on an appointed day in January to receive and examine into declarations of exemption from dog licence duty. For this purpose he engages a room at the "Cross Pipes Inn," which is the most convenient place in the village, both for him and for the public. I am 696 not prepared to prohibit the use of the local hotel or inn for such purposes.
MR. BRYN ROBERTSIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that the Inspector of Weights and Measures attends at a private house, and no inconvenience is experienced?
§ SIR M. HICKS BEACHI am not aware of it.