§ MR. F. W. WILSON (Norfolk, Mid)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if his attention has 590 been called to the case of Joseph Last, landlord of the "Cherry Tree" Inn, North Topham, a Reserve man, who was called up to serve in South Africa, and whose wife, within a few weeks of his departure for the front, was required to attend before the East Harling Bench of Magistrates, and ordered to take out a transfer of licence to herself at a cost of 19s., which the woman can ill afford to pay; and whether steps can be taken to prevent such transfers in the case of the families of Reserve men in future.
§ * SIR M. WHITE RIDLEYI am informed that Joseph Last was required by the owners of the alehouse in question to procure a transfer of his licence during his absence, and that he took the necessary preliminary steps before he left home. No application appears to have been made for remission of the fees on the ground of poverty. If it had been, it would, no doubt, have been considered by the magistrates. The case does not seem to indicate any necessity for any steps, which could only be in the direction of altering the law that a beerhouse licence must be held by the real resident holder and occupier of the premises.