§ MR. MARKHAMTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether his attention has been directed to a statement, made by the chairman of the Upper River Committee of the Thames Conservancy Board on 25th July, that many large steamers and launches on the river were floating beer-houses, open all day and night, and that neither the Conservators or licensing magistrates on the Thames had any control over such steamers, the owners of which could sell as much liquor as they liked; and will he, therefore, introduce legislation bringing the sale of liquor on river steamers under the licensing authority of the magistrates on the Thames.
(Answered by Mr. Secretary Akers-Douglas.) I have seen a newspaper report of the meeting of the Conservators to which the hon. Member refers. The question of the sale of intoxicating liquor on steamers in inland waters has been more than once under consideration; but it has not hitherto been found possible to frame provisions likely to be satisfactory and effective amendments of the law. I cannot say more than that the matter will not be lost sight of.