§ SIR WILFRID LAWSON (Cornwall, Camborne)To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether 672 his attention has been called to the action of the Highgate bench of magistrates in dismissing, on the 5th instant, a police summons for keeping open during prohibited hours, the ground of dismissal being that a licensed house could be kept open all day on Sunday so long as it was not open for the sale of intoxicating liquors; and, if so, whether he proposes to take any steps in the matter.
(Answered by Mr. Secretary Akers Douglas) I understand from inquiries which I have made of the justices that the ground on which the case was dismissed was not as stated in the Question. The charge was brought under Section 9 of The Licensing Act, 1874, for keeping licensed premises open for the sale of intoxicating liquors during the time the premises were required to be closed The facts of the case, as admitted, viz.: that two men, who claimed to be bonâ fide travellers, were being served at 11.20 on a Sunday morning with ginger beer, were held by the bench not to substantiate the charge.