§ MR. PAUL (Northampton)To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he is aware that a number of clubs have been and are being formed throughout the country, nominally for social and political purposes, but really for drinking and for evasion of the Licensing Act; and whether His Majesty's Government can take any steps by administering or amending the law to check the progress of this grave evil.
(Answered by Mr. Secretary Gladstone.) If any person is in possession of information that the provisions of the Licensing Act of 1902 in regard to clubs have been contravened he can himself take proceedings or move the police to do so. Whether the law requires strengthening is certainly a question for consideration in connection with licensing legislation.