§ MR. THORNTON (Clapham)On behalf of the hon. Member for Wandsworth I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether his attention has been called to a letter issued by the clerk to the justices for the Wandsworth Division, inviting persons interested in licensed premises within a specified area in the borough of Wandsworth to submit, not later than the end of August next, a comprehensive scheme, showing a substantial reduction in the number of such licensed premises, and intimating that 1399 in the event of such scheme being considered by the justices unsatisfactory or insufficient, they would themselves deal with the question at the general annual licensing meeting for 1904; and, if so, will he consider the advisability, this session or next, of taking steps to prevent the confiscation of licensed property.
§ *THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE HOME DEPARTMENT (Mr. AKERS DOUGLAS,) Kent, St. Augustine'sYes, Sir, I have seen a copy of the letter in question. With regard to the second paragraph of the Question, the matter is, as I think my hon. friend knows, now enjoying the serious attention of the Government, who desire to prevent the occurrence of what he fears.
§ MR. GALLOWAY (Manchester, S. W.)May I ask whether the circular is within the statutory powers of the magistrates, and, if not, what action can the licensed victuallers take when such unjust and illegal action is taken?
§ MR. SWIFT MACNEILLConsult a solicitor.
§ *MR. AKERS DOUGLASI am not at all disposed to express an opinion as to the description of this action as given by the hon. Member. The duties of the licensing justices have been defined by the Lord Chancellor in another place, and I must refer my hon. friend to that pronouncement.