HC Deb 28 March 1904 vol 132 cc861-2
SIR WILFRID LAWSON (Cornwall, Camborne)

I beg to ask the First Lord of the Treasury whether he is aware that the magistrates of Edinburgh and of Glasgow have exercised their discretion by ordering the public houses in those cities to be closed at ten o'clock; and, if so, does he contemplate any legislation for the purpose of taking away the discretion which they have thus exercised.

MR. A. J. BALFOUR

I am greatly puzzled about this Question. I do not know whether the hon. Baronet has some subtle joke at the root of it; but, as regards the fact to which he refers, it is true that the two town Councils have taken the course which he alludes to. It is also the fact, I need hardly say, that we do not intend to have any legislation on the subject in the course of this session or, so far as I know, in any other session.

SIR WILFRID LAWSON

Is there any intention to compensate these poor publicans?

MR. A. J. BALFOUR

I have no ground for believing that they will be injured.