HC Deb 18 April 1907 vol 172 cc1169-70
MR. FETHERSTONHAUGH (Fermanagh, N.)

I beg to ask the Prime Minister if he is aware that Ireland, with a population slightly and wealth largely below that of Scotland, has about 7,000 more public houses; that, owing to the decision in Clitheroe's case, the justices in Ireland have no power to refuse renewals of licences on the ground of there being too many public houses, and that the Licensing Act of 1904 does not apply to Ireland; and will he consider the desirability of immediate legislation on the subject to meet the need of Ireland for reduction of the number of her licensed houses.

SIR H. CAMPBELL-BANNERMAN

The facts as stated in the hon. Member's Question are, I believe, substantially correct. With regard to the last paragraph of the Question I would refer the hon. Member to an Answer I gave him upon this subject on Wednesday last.†