§ SIR JOHN LENG (Dundee)I beg to ask the First Lord of the Treasury whether he has received a copy of the declaration of a number of eminent physicians, founders of settlements in the East End of London, heads of colleges in the Universities, and ladies deeply interested in social welfare, who are seriously concerned at the provisions of the Licensing Bill now before Parliament; whether their objections to the proposals of the Bill have modified the intentions of the Government, and whether those proposals will be withdrawn.
§ MR. A. J. BALFOURI have seen the declaration to which the hon. Gentleman refers. I do not know how far the signatories to that declaration believe that a reduction in the number of licences would have any great effect upon the higher interests of temperance; but, if they do think it would have any such effect, I confess I am unable to understand their position.