§ MR. BELLOC (Salford, S.)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether his attention has been called to the fact that certain of the wealthier restaurants in London, notably the Savoy Restaurant, are permitted to retain their customers upon licensed premises after legal hours; and whether he will instruct the police to put an end to such a privilege.
§ *MR. GLADSTONECustomers are not permitted to remain on licensed premises after the hour at which the premises are required to be closed. That hour is generally fixed by statute, but the local authority is empowered to permit licensed premises on special occasions to remain open for a limited time after that hour, and such permission is from time to time given to licensed premises, without regard to their being wealthy or otherwise, provided that the local authority is satisfied that the occasion is a special one within the meaning of the Acts.
§ MR. BELLOCIs special permission given to these restaurants, the Savoy, Cecil, and Carlton, to remain open half an hour later than the ordinary time of closing?
§ *MR. GLADSTONEI have no doubt it has been given. Permission is given in hundreds of cases. It is special to each case.
§ MR. PICKERSGILLIs that a general provision?
§ *MR. GLADSTONENo, it is special in each case.
§ MR. BELLOCHow can I find out whether permission has been given in a particular case?
§ *MR. GLADSTONE; If the lion. Member will give me the case I will give him the information.
§ MR. BELLOCI shall be happy to give the right hon. Gentleman a dozen cases.